The Sedentary Time and Physical Activity Levels on Physical Fitness in the Elderly: A Comparative Cross Sectional Study

Balancing Time for Health Behaviors: Associations of Time Perspective With Physical Activity and Weight Management in Older Adults

PURPOSE

To examine associations between time perspective and health promotion behaviors of physical activity and weight management.

DESIGN

Quantitative cross-sectional.

SETTING

This study is part of the Betula project on aging, memory, and dementia in Northern Sweden.

SUBJECTS

417 older adults aged between 55 and 85 years.

MEASURES

Swedish-Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory; Physical Activity in the past year, past week, and in comparison with others of similar age; Weight Management = Body Mass Index (BMI; kg/m2).

RESULTS

After controlling for age, sex, and years of education, hierarchical linear regression indicated a Balanced Time Perspective was significantly associated with more physical activity in the past year (P = .04), the past week (P < .001), and in comparison with others (P < .01). Past Negative time perspective was associated with less physical activity in the past year (P = .03), and in comparison with others (P = .03). Present Fatalistic was associated with less physical activity during the past week (P = .03), and in comparison with others (P = .01). Present Hedonistic was associated with more physical activity the past week (P = .03), and in comparison with others (P = .03). Past Negative was associated with higher BMI (P = .02), and Future Negative were associated with lower BMI (P = .01). Taken collectively, greater positivity and flexibility across time perspectives was associated with more physical activity, whereas negative oriented time perspectives related with less physical activity and poorer weight management.

CONCLUSION

Time perspective can be associated with health behaviors in older adults and have implications for health across the lifespan. Health promotion interventions may target older adults' enjoyment of exercise and weight management in the present, rather than highlight potential negative health outcomes in the future.

Leisure-time physical activity as a key protective factor against cognitive decline in older adults: an isotemporal substitution analysis

This study aimed to test hypothesized effects of replacing sedentary behavior with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, sleep, and different domains of physical activity by equivalent amounts on suggestive cognitive decline in an older adult population. This was a cross-sectional study including 473 older adults aged ≥ 60 years. Cognitive decline was assessed using the Mini-Mental Health Examination. Physical activity, its different domains and the time of exposure to sedentary behavior were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. For data analysis, two isotemporal substitution models were constructed using Poisson regression. The first model tested the effect of sleep time, sedentary behavior, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on cognitive decline. The second model was used to determine the effect of physical activity domains (leisure, work, transport, and home), sleep time, and sedentary behavior on cognitive decline. Physical activity during leisure time was protective against cognitive decline among all domains tested, replacing sedentary behavior, sleep, and transport. Conversely, substitution of the leisure domain for sedentary behavior, sleep, and transport was considered a risk factor for cognitive decline. Leisure time proved to be a strong protective factor in reducing the risk of cognitive decline, and it is necessary to encourage and stimulate public policies that include it.

Associations between accelerometer-measured physical activity and sedentary behaviour with physical function among older women: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the relationships between accelerometer-measured physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) with physical function (PF) among older Chinese women in the community.

METHODS

The present study comprised 1,113 community-dwelling older females, with an average age of 65 ± 2 years. We employed a linear regression analysis to investigate the relationship between patterns of PA and SB with PF. PA variables consisted of total PA time, bouted PA time (a continuous PA that lasts equal to or more than 10 min), and sporadic PA time (a continuous PA that lasts less than 10 min). SB variables included total SB time, 30-min bout of SB (a continuous SB that lasts equal to or more than 30 min), and 60-min bout of SB (a continuous SB that lasts equal to or more than 60 min). PF variables comprised handgrip strength (HGS), one-legged stance test with eyes closed (OLSTEC), usual walking speed (UWS), maximum walking speed (MWS) and chair-stand time (CT). To explore the joint effects of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA) and SB on PF, we divided the duration of SB and MVPA participation in older women into different combinations: low MVPA & high SB, low MVPA & low SB, high MVPA & high SB, high MVPA & low SB.

RESULTS

The study revealed a significant association between 30-min bout of SB and CT, which remained after adjusting for total MVPA time (P = 0.021). Both total MVPA and bouted MVPA were found to be positively associated with better UWS, MWS, CT, and PF Z-score. When the combination of low MVPA & high SB was used as a reference, the regression coefficients for PF ascended by 1.32 (P < 0.001) in the high MVPA & high SB group and by 1.13 (P < 0.001) in the high MVPA & low SB group.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant association was observed between poorer lower limb function and prolonged, uninterrupted SB in older women, rather than with the total SB time. Concurrently, the insufficient engagement in MVPA may also be a crucial factor contributing to poorer PF in older women. Engaging in longer durations and higher intensity of PA, such as bouts of MVPA lasting a minimum of 10 min or longer, may contribute to better PF.

Lack of Intensity Control during an Exercise Program Is Related to a Limited Effect on Variables Responsible for Blood Pressure Regulation in Hypertensive Older Adults

To compare the effect of an intensity-controlled exercise program (ICEP) and a nonintensity-controlled exercise program (non-ICEP) on the variables responsible for blood pressure regulation in hypertensive older adults. 95 hypertensive older adults (65.40 ± 7.48 years/22 males and 73 females) performed hemodynamic, functional fitness, and biochemical evaluations before and after 12 weeks of the multicomponent exercises which included walking, muscle strength, hydrogymnastics, Pilates, dynamic balance, agility, flexibility, and others. A significant improvement was observed in general functional fitness index (GFFI: p ≤ 0.000, d = 0.35), nitrite (NO2 -: p ≤ 0.000, d = 0.49), systolic blood pressure (SBP: p ≤ 0.000, d = 0.65), diastolic blood pressure (DBP: p ≤ 0.013, d = 0.40), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS: p ≤ 0.007, d = 0.78), activity of the endothelial superoxide dismutase enzyme (ecSOD: p ≤ 0.032, d = 0.41), double product (DP: p ≤ 0.015, d = 0.43), and waist-hip ratio (WHR: p ≤ 0.000, d = 0.44) for ICEP. Only GFFI (p ≤ 0.047, d = 0.12), TBARS (p ≤ 0.000, d = 0.77), SOD (p ≤ 0.025, d = 0.25), DP (p ≤ 0.046, d = 0.26), and BMI (p ≤ 0.018, d = 0.02) presented better results in non-ICEP. When the effect of the groups (controlled by age, BMI, and sex) was evaluated, an increase was observed in the NO2 -, TBARS, and SOD and a reduction in the SBP and WHR variables in the ICEP group compared to the non-ICEP group. Twelve weeks of engagement in a controlled-intensity exercise program was enough to improve the level of functional fitness and variables regarding blood pressure regulation in hypertensive older adults. Conversely, physical exercise performed without intensity control was related to the limited effect on such variables.

Diversity Analysis of Intestinal Bifidobacteria in the Hohhot Population

(1) Background: Bifidobacterium plays a pivotal role within the gut microbiota, significantly affecting host health through its abundance and composition in the intestine. Factors such as age, gender, and living environment exert considerable influence on the gut microbiota, yet scant attention has been directed towards understanding the specific effects of these factors on the Bifidobacterium population. Therefore, this study focused on 98 adult fecal samples to conduct absolute and relative quantitative analyses of bifidobacteria. (2) Methods: Using droplet digital PCR and the PacBio Sequel II sequencing platform, this study sought to determine the influence of various factors, including living environment, age, and BMI, on the absolute content and biodiversity of intestinal bifidobacteria. (3) Results: Quantitative results indicated that the bifidobacteria content in the intestinal tract ranged from 106 to 109 CFU/g. Notably, the number of bifidobacteria in the intestinal tract of the school population surpassed that of the off-campus population significantly (p = 0.003). Additionally, the group of young people exhibited a significantly higher count of bifidobacteria than the middle-aged and elderly groups (p = 0.041). The normal-weight group displayed a significantly higher bifidobacteria count than the obese group (p = 0.027). Further analysis of the relative abundance of bifidobacteria under different influencing factors revealed that the living environment emerged as the primary factor affecting the intestinal bifidobacteria structure (p = 0.046, R2 = 2.411). Moreover, the diversity of bifidobacteria in the intestinal tract of college students surpassed that in the out-of-school population (p = 0.034). This was characterized by a notable increase in 11 strains, including B. longum, B. bifidum, and B. pseudolongum, in the intestinal tract of college students, forming a more intricate intestinal bifidobacteria interaction network. (4) Conclusions: In summary, this study elucidated the principal factors affecting intestinal bifidobacteria and delineated their characteristics of intestinal bifidobacteria in diverse populations. By enriching the theory surrounding gut microbiota and health, this study provides essential data support for further investigations into the intricate dynamics of the gut microbiota.

Real-world data capture of daily limb loading using force-sensing insoles: Feasibility and lessons learned

Force-sensing insoles are wearable technology that offer an innovative way to measure loading outside of laboratory settings. Few studies, however, have utilized insoles to measure daily loading in real-world settings. This is an ancillary study of a randomized controlled trial examining the effect of weight loss alone, weight loss plus weighted vest, or weight loss plus resistance training on bone health in older adults. The purpose of this ancillary study was to determine the feasibility of using force-sensing insoles to collect daily limb loading metrics, including peak force, impulse, and loading rate. Forty-four participants completed a baseline visit of three, 2-minute walking trials while wearing force-sensing insoles. During month two of the intervention, 37 participants wore insoles for 4 days for 8 waking hours each day. At 6-month follow-up, participants completed three, two-minute walking trials and a satisfaction questionnaire. Criteria for success in feasibility was defined as: a) > 60 % recruitment rate; b) > 80 % adherence rate; c) > 75 % of usable data, and d) > 75 % participant satisfaction. A 77.3 % recruitment rate was achieved, with 44 participants enrolled. Participants wore their insoles an average of 7.4 hours per day, and insoles recorded an average of 5.5 hours per day. Peak force, impulse, and loading rate collected at baseline and follow-up were 100 % usable. During the real-world settings, 87.8 % of data was deemed usable with an average of 1200 min/participant. Lastly, average satisfaction was 80.5 %. These results suggest that force-sensing insoles appears to be feasible to capture real-world limb loading in older adults.

Effects of combined exercise training with sleep education in older adults with obstructive sleep apnea: protocol for a randomized clinical trial

Background

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder that affects approximately 1 billion people worldwide. Advanced age is a significant risk factor. Various treatment options have been explored to reduce the severity of OSA symptoms and physical exercise has emerged as a potential alternative therapy. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects of a combined exercise program with sleep education on sleep quality and on the severity of OSA in older adults.

Methods

This is a randomized clinical trial with two parallel groups that will involve individuals of both genders aged between 60 and 79 years who have an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of more than 15 events per hour and who have not received or are currently undergoing treatment for OSA. Older adults who have engaged in regular exercise in the last six months and individuals with contraindications to exercise will be excluded. The study will assess outcomes related to OSA, including AHI, oxygen desaturation index, minimum and mean oxyhemoglobin saturation, sleep efficiency, sleep latency, and the type of respiratory events. Additionally, sleep quality-related outcomes, daytime sleepiness, physical activity, physical fitness, aerobic capacity, cognitive status, anthropometric measures, and health-related quality of life will be analyzed. Participants will be randomized to two groups: a combined exercise group (involving both resistance and aerobic training) with sleep education, and a control group that will receive only educational recommendations for managing OSA. The intervention will last 12 weeks and will consist of three sessions per week, totaling 36 exercise sessions. Sample size calculation indicates a minimum number of 36 participants.

Discussion

If the hypothesis is confirmed, this clinical trial will indicate an effective non-pharmacological intervention for treating OSA in older adults. This intervention could be used as an adjunct to existing approaches designed to improve OSA management.

Clinical trail registration

Brazil Clinical Trials Registry (ReBEC), identifier RBR-9hk6pgz.

The level of actual functional fitness of men from different living environments in Poland and associations with health - a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The study aimed to assess the differences in functional fitness between older men living in social welfare homes (SWH) and men living in society.

METHODS

The study involved 474 men aged 60-84, including 134 men living in social welfare homes and 340 men living in community. The Senior Fitness Test was used to assess functional fitness. Body weight and height were measured. Moreover, data on age, education, taking up physical activity and place of residence were collected.

RESULTS

A significantly lower level of functional fitness of SWH residents was demonstrated compared to men living in the society (p < 0.001). A significant percentage of seniors living in SWH did not reach the normal range for the Polish population. Also, the level of education, physical activity and health self-assessment differentiated the institutionalized men from those living in the community.

CONCLUSIONS

The place of residence is a factor that differentiates seniors' functional fitness levels. The reduced fitness of social welfare home residents may also result from the low level of their daily physical activity, education and health. Introducing physical activity programs for elderly residents in social welfare homes seems reasonable.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN platform as 18,225,729; December 2020.

Impact of COVID-19 on Physical Activity, Fatigue, and Frailty in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

This study aimed to describe the level of physical activity and its relation to fatigue and frailty during the COVID-19 pandemic in community-dwelling older adults aged 80 years and over. Three hundred and ninety-one older adults (aged 86.5 ± 3.00) completed a survey including physical activity, the Mobility Tiredness scale, and the FRAIL scale. Linear regression analysis was conducted to assess whether the variables age, sex, and physical activity (independent factors) were significantly related to fatigue and frailty. Respectively, 30.5% and 24.7% of the participants reported a decrease in walking and in energy-intensive activities; 25.4% reported increased sedentary behavior. A lower level of physical activity was associated with higher levels of fatigue and increased frailty risk (p < .05), independently from psychological symptoms. These results are important because participants with lower levels of physical activity and more sedentary behavior are more likely to feel fatigued and have higher risk to be frail.

[Screen time, obesity and cardiovascular disease among elderly Brazilians: 2013 and 2019 National Health Surveys]

The scope of this paper was to analyze the association between the time spent watching television (TV) and the presence of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) obesity and obesity associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) among elderly Brazilians, according to gender, comparing data from the 2013 and 2019 National Health Surveys (NHS). It involved a cross-sectional study, with data from 23,815 and 43,554 elderly people, respectively, from the 2013 and 2019 NHS. Self-reported TV screen time was categorized into: <3, 3-6, and ≥6 per day. Obesity was assessed by body mass index ≥27 kg/m² and CVD by self-reported medical diagnosis. In 2013, elderly women who watched TV ≥6 hours/day were more likely to have OCD obesity (OR=1.87; 95%CI=1.32;2.64) and obesity associated with CVD (OR=6.30; 95%CI=3.38;11.74). In 2019, elderly women who watched TV between 3-6 hours/day (OR=1.44; 95%CI=1.25;1.65) and ≥6 hours/day (OR=1.55; 95%CI=1.28;1.88) were more likely to have OCD obesity, while the incidence of obesity associated with CVD was higher for ≥6 hours/day (OR=2.13; 95%CI=1.48;3.06). In 2019, men were more likely to have obesity associated with CVD watching TV between 3-6 hours/day (OR=1.76; 95%CI=1.20;2.56) and ≥6 hours/day (OR=2.13; 95%CI=1.27;3.57). The importance of reducing screen time by the elderly is clearly evident.

Associations between physical activity, physical fitness, and body composition in adults living in Germany: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Body composition (BC) changes with age and is associated with morbidity and mortality. A physically active lifestyle influences BC and represents an important predictor of successful aging. To emphasize this, the World Health Organization established activity recommendations for all age groups. We describe BC during adulthood using a cross-sectional sample from a German community and investigate the associations between physical activity (PA), physical fitness (PF), and BC.

METHODS

Data from 329 men and women aged 35 to 86 years were analyzed. PA was measured by questionnaire and classified into sport activity and habitual activity. PF was measured through physical performance tests and BC by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Fat mass index (FMI) and fat-free mass index (FFMI) were calculated to represent height-adjusted BC. Associations between PA, PF, and BC were analyzed using linear regression models.

RESULTS

For both sexes, strength was positively associated with FFMI (♂: ß = 0.313; ♀: ß = 0.213) and phase angle (♂: ß = 0.357; ♀: ß = 0.409). For FMI, a significant negative association with strength was found only in women (ß = -0.189). Cardiorespiratory fitness showed a negative association with FMI (ß = -0.312) and FFMI (ß = -0.201) for men, while in women a positive association was found for FFMI (ß = 0.186). For coordination, a significant association with FMI was observed only in women (ß = -0.190). Regarding PA only one significant relationship between sport activity and FMI among women (ß = -0.170) was found.

CONCLUSIONS

In our sample, PF was closer related to BC than PA. Strength and cardiorespiratory fitness were the strongest predictors for BC. This supports the World Health Organization's activity recommendations to include both resistance and endurance training in the weekly sports program to maintain a healthy BC.

The association between physical activity and fear of falling among community-dwelling older women in China: the mediating role of physical fitness

Background

This study aimed to explore the association between physical activity (PA) and fear of falling (FOF) and to determine whether this relationship was mediated by physical fitness (PF) in community-dwelling older women.

Methods

For this cross-sectional study, a total of 1,108 older women were recruited. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and light physical activity (LPA) were objectively measured by accelerometers. Physical fitness indicators including body mass index (BMI), forced vital capacity, choice reaction time, grip strength, sit and reach, and five times sit-to-stand were measured. FOF was evaluated by the Chinese version of the activities-specific balance confidence scale. A stepwise linear regression model analysis was used for mediation analysis, and bootstrap analysis was used to verify the mediation effects.

Result

The Pearson correlation coefficient results suggested that MVPA was significantly and negatively correlated with FOF while LPA was not correlated with FOF. Logistic regression analysis suggested a significant association between MVPA, BMI, forced vital capacity, choice reaction time, sit and reach, grip strength, five times sit-to-stand, and FOF. The mediation analysis showed a negative relationship between MVPA and FOF. BMI completely mediated the relationship between MVPA and FOF while sit and reach, five times sit-to-stand, and forced vital capacity partially mediated the relationship between MVPA and FOF.

Conclusion

Accumulation of more daily MVPA was associated with reducing the odds of FOF in community-dwelling older women. PF indicators fully or partially mediate the relationship between MVPA and FOF. Therefore, more intervention efforts should focus on the promotion of MVPA to improve PF and thus reduce FOF among older women.

Associations between older adults' physical fitness level and their engagement in different types of physical activity: cross-sectional results from the OUTDOOR ACTIVE study

OBJECTIVES

To describe the prevalence of different types of physical activities and to explore the association between engagement in these physical activities and performance in the physical fitness dimensions among older adults living in Bremen, Germany.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Twelve subdistricts in Bremen, Germany.

PARTICIPANTS

1583 non-institutionalised adults aged 65-75 years residing in one of the 12 subdistricts in Bremen, Germany (53.1% female).

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Level of physical fitness in five dimensions: handgrip strength (hand dynamometry), lower muscle strength (30 s-chair stand test), aerobic endurance (2 min-step test), lower body flexibility (sit-and-reach test), and upper body flexibility (back scratch test); classified using normative values.

RESULTS

In this study population, home-based activities (housework, gardening) and activities for transport (walking, cycling) were performed by nearly all the participants, while leisure activities were less prevalent. Logistic regression revealed a positive association between being in or over norm in handgrip strength with cycling (OR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.13 to 2.15), hiking/running (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.05 to 2.16) and other sports (OR: 3.22, 95% CI: 1.37 to 7.56). Lower muscle strength was positively related to cycling (OR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.37 to 2.65), gym training (OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.16 to 2.26) and dancing (OR: 2.15, 95% CI: 1.00 to 4.61). Aerobic endurance was positively associated with cycling (OR: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.37 to 2.65), gym training (OR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.20 to 2.36), aerobics (OR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.19 to 2.26), dancing (OR: 2.62, 95% CI: 1.10 to 6.22) and ball sports (OR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.30 to 3.29). Apart from housework and upper body flexibility (OR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.19 to 0.78), flexibility dimensions did not show any significant associations.

CONCLUSIONS

While muscle strength dimensions and aerobic endurance were associated with several physical activities, flexibility dimensions were associated with none of the investigated activities apart from housework. Especially cycling and leisure activities (eg, hiking/ running, gym training, aerobics, dancing) showed great potential for sustaining and increasing physical fitness in older age.

Physical activity levels in cognitively normal and cognitively impaired oldest-old and the association with dementia risk factors: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Research assessing the relationship of physical activity and dementia is usually based on studies with individuals younger than 90 years of age. The primary aim of this study was to determine physical activity levels of cognitively normal and cognitively impaired adults older than 90 years of age (oldest-old). Our secondary aim was to assess if physical activity is associated with risk factors for dementia and brain pathology biomarkers.

METHODS

Physical activity was assessed in cognitively normal (N = 49) and cognitively impaired (N = 12) oldest-old by trunk accelerometry for a 7-day period. We tested physical performance parameters and nutritional status as dementia risk factors, and brain pathology biomarkers. Linear regression models were used to examine the associations, correcting for age, sex and years of education.

RESULTS

Cognitively normal oldest-old were on average active for a total duration of 45 (SD 27) minutes per day, while cognitively impaired oldest-old seemed less physically active with 33 (SD 21) minutes per day with a lower movement intensity. Higher active duration and lower sedentary duration were related to better nutritional status and better physical performance. Higher movement intensities were related to better nutritional status, better physical performance and less white matter hyperintensities. Longer maximum walking bout duration associated with more amyloid binding.

CONCLUSION

We found that cognitively impaired oldest-old are active at a lower movement intensity than cognitively normal oldest-old individuals. In the oldest-old, physical activity is related to physical parameters, nutritional status, and moderately to brain pathology biomarkers.

Promoting Active Aging Through Sports Participation: A Qualitative Exploration of Serious Leisure Among Older Chinese Adults

China's population of older individuals reached 264.02 million in 2020, an increase of 5.44% from 2010. This study explores how participation in serious leisure sports, which have enduring benefits for older adults, contributes to active aging. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 older participants aged 60-78 years who had participated in a leisure sport activity for 1 year or longer. A thematic analysis was conducted, and four themes emerged: body improvements, positive emotions, optimistic life attitudes, and social interactions. Older adults who participate in serious leisure sports are empowered via practice and learning opportunities to engage with their aging bodies, pursue psychological benefits, and jointly maintain leisure groups. The findings of this study contribute to our understanding of the "rights-based" approach to active aging and allow us to identify serious leisure sports as an active way for older adults to improve their quality of life.

Impacts of Social Isolation on the Physical and Mental Health of Older Adults During Quarantine: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVES

To systematically review articles that reported the impacts of social isolation on the physical and mental health of healthy older adults during the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) quarantine.

METHODS

Electronic search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, and BIREME databases. It included cohort and cross-sectional studies published between January 2020 and January 2022 which evaluated the impacts of social isolation on the physical and mental health of older adults during quarantine. The study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021269720).

RESULTS

Out of 8,505 studies identified, 17 met the inclusion criteria, with moderate to excellent quality. The majority of the older population perceived changes in their physical and mental health. Impacts differed in cohorts according to sex, age group, income, social participation, exercising before and during confinement, and living alone or with other people.

CONCLUSIONS

The long period of social isolation dictated by the COVID-19 pandemic caused changes in most older adults`, reducing levels of physical activity and/or generating depression, anxiety, fear, and mood problems. Follow-up studies are necessary to observe the evolution of these impacts.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Public policies must be developed to promote the emotional and physical health of the older adult population in the post-pandemic period.

The effectiveness of wearable activity trackers for increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary time in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Traditional interventions such as education and counseling are successful in increasing physical activity (PA) participation, but are usually labor and resource intensive. Wearable activity trackers can objectively record PA and provide feedback to help users to achieve activity goals and are an increasingly popular tool among adults used to facilitate self-monitoring of PA. However, no reviews systematically explored the roles of wearable activity trackers in older populations.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus from inception to September 10, 2022. Randomized controlled trials were included. Two reviewers independently conducted study selection, data extraction, risk of bias, and certainty of evidence assessment. A random-effects model was used to evaluate the effect size.

Results

A total of 45 studies with 7144 participants were included. A wearable activity tracker was effective in increasing daily steps (standard mean differences (SMD) = 0.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.44, 0.75)), weekly moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) (SMD = 0.54, 95% CI (0.36, 0.72)), and total daily PA (SMD = 0.21, 95% CI (0.01, 0.40)) and reducing sedentary time (SMD = -0.10, 95% CI (-0.19, -0.01)). Subgroup analysis showed that the effectiveness of wearable activity trackers for daily steps was not influenced by participants and intervention features. However, wearable activity trackers seemed more effective in promoting MVPA of participant's age <70 than participant's age ≥70. In addition, wearable activity trackers incorporated with traditional intervention components (e.g. telephone counseling, goal setting, and self-monitoring) could better promote MVPA than alone use. Short-term interventions potentially achieve better MVPA increase than long-term.

Conclusion

This review showed that wearable activity trackers are an effective tool to increase PA for the old population and also favor reducing sedentary time. When used together with other interventions, wearable activity trackers can achieve better MVPA increase, especially in the short term. However, how to more effectively improve the effectiveness of wearable activity trackers is an important direction of future research.

The Relation of Having Experienced a Fall in the Past to Lower Cognitive Functioning in Old Age Is Mediated via Less Physical Activity Engagement as Cognitive Reserve Contributor

Physical activity and exercise contribute to the accumulation of cognitive reserve, which is instrumental for preserving cognitive health in old age. In a large sample of 701 older adults (mean age = 70.36 years), we investigated whether the relationship between having experienced a fall in the past and lower performance in cognitive functioning was mediated via less physical activity engagement as a cognitive reserve contributor. General cognition was assessed using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), long-term memory using a word-pair delayed recall test and working memory using a backward digit-span test. In face-to-face interviews, individuals reported information on falls during the past 12 months and their habitual physical activity engagement. Our analyses demonstrated that the relationship between having experienced a fall in the past and lower performance in the cognitive functioning measures was partly mediated (by 16.3% for general cognition, 30.6% for long-term memory, and 33.1% for working memory, respectively) via less physical activity engagement. In conclusion, we suggest as a core bio-psychological mechanism that experiencing a fall at an older age is a critical life event that hinders sufficient physical activity engagement and thereby impedes cognitive reserve build-up, resulting in lower cognitive functioning outcomes.

The Role of Physical Function in the Association between Physical Activity and Gait Speed in Older Adults: A Mediation Analysis

Adequate levels of physical function (PF) are essential for vulnerable older adults to perform their daily tasks safely and remain autonomous. Our objective was to explore the mediating role of PF in the relationship between physical activity (PA) and gait speed (GS) in a large sample of older adults from the north of Brazil. This is a cross-sectional study that analyzed 697 older adults (mean age 70.35 ± 6.86 years) who participated in the project "Health, Lifestyle, and Physical Fitness in Older Adults in Amazonas" (SEVAAI). PA was assessed using the Baecke Questionnaire, PF using the Senior Fitness Test, and GS using the 50-foot Walk Test. Mediation pathways were analyzed to test the possible mediating role of PF between specific PA domains (PA-total score, PA-housework, PA-sport, PA-leisure) and GS. Regarding PA-total, the analysis showed that high-performance GS was partially mediated in approximately 19% by better PF performance. Moreover, the PF could partially mediate the association between PA-sport and PA-leisure with GS, at levels of approximately 9% and 46%, respectively. An inverse relationship was observed between PA-housework (sedentary lifestyle) and GS. This association was partially mediated to an extent of approximately 9% by better PF performance. We conclude that PF plays a crucial role in mediating the association between PA and GS among vulnerable older adults.

The Artificial Intelligence System for the Generation of Sports Education Guidance Model and Physical Fitness Evaluation Under Deep Learning

In recent years, China's achievements in artificial intelligence (AI) have attracted the attention of the world, and AI technology has penetrated into all walks of life. In particular, the in-depth integration of AI technology with sports education guidance and physical fitness evaluation has achieved very significant progress and results, which has improved the quality of life of people and provided more high-quality, customized, and personalized health management services for human beings. This study aimed to explore the application model of deep learning in sports education and guidance and in the analysis of the residents' physical fitness, so as to formulate a personalized and intelligent exercise program. The residents of A and B units are selected as the research object to evaluate the physical fitness. Subsequently, the self-designed questionnaire is used to survey the chronic disease online, and the acquired data are put into a deep learning model for the analysis to obtain the physique scoring results and exercise guidance. According to the results of physical fitness evaluation, the proportion of overweight was the highest (40.4%), followed by fatty liver (24.3%) and hyperlipidemia (20.4%), showing high incidence in people aged 41-50 years. The highest incidence of female gynecological diseases was gout (23.0%) and hyperlipidemia (20.6%). After exercise therapy, the scores were excellent and good. Conclusions: The database SQL Server 2005 was a platform for storing all kinds of data and knowledge-based rule information. The user's access service was provided by the remote server via the browser. Therefore, building a rule-based reasoning mechanism can realize physical test data collection, physical fitness evaluation, and information management for improving physical fitness.

Assessment of Physical Fitness and Risk Factors for the Occurrence of the Frailty Syndrome among Social Welfare Homes' Residents over 60 Years of Age in Poland

The study aimed at assessing physical fitness and occurrence of the frailty syndrome among social welfare homes’ residents as well as defining factors which determine the level of frailty and its occurrence. The examination included 198 residents (115 females and 83 males of average age 75.5 ± 10.21) and was carried out with the use of the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) test with the following cut-off points: 0−6—frail, 7−9—pre-frail, 10−12—non-frail. The research additionally collected data regarding age, gender, number of chronic diseases, education level, type of prior work and current physical activity. In addition, the height and weight of the respondents were measured. The frailty syndrome was found in more than a half of the examinees (104; 52.53%), the pre-frailty state in 30.30% (n = 60) and 17.17% (n = 34) were non-frail. The average result of the SPPB test was 6.52 ± 2.73, which proves a moderate limitation of the sample group’s fitness. No significant differences were noted between female and male respondents (p = 0.27). The multifactorial linear regression model showed that independent and direct frailty syndrome predicators included age, number of chronic diseases and regular physical activity (p < 0.05). In conclusion, promoting and encouraging regular, age and interest-related forms of physical activity among seniors might foster the maintenance of their physiological reservoir and functional efficiency.

Redevelopment and Examination of the Psychometric Properties of the Chinese Version of the Last 7-Day Sedentary Behaviour Questionnaire (SIT-Q-7d-Chi) in Hong Kong Older Adults

(1) Background: This study examined the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Last 7-Day Sedentary Behaviour Questionnaire (SIT-Q-7d-Chi) in Hong Kong older adults; (2) Methods: Study 1 assessed the questionnaire’s test–retest reliability, and Study 2 examined its validity. Place the question addressed in a broad context and highlight the purpose of the study; (3) Results: In Study 1, 84 older adults (aged 60–90) completed the SIT-Q-7d-Chi twice over a 2-week interval, and in Study 2, 38 older adults (i) completed the SIT-Q-7d-Chi and the Sedentary Behaviour Questionnaire for Older Adults (SBQOA) and (ii) wore a waist-mounted accelerometer for 7 consecutive days. In Study 1, the SIT-Q-7d-Chi’s test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.91–0.99) was satisfactory, and adequate internal consistency was found for most domains of the SIT-Q-7d-Chi (Cronbach’s alpha value being 0.7 or above). Study 2′s results showed that the SIT-Q-7d-Chi results were significantly correlated with the SBQOA results, but not with the accelerometer results; (4) Conclusions: This study revealed the prevalence of sedentary behavior among Hong Kong’s senior citizens, which can be used as a reference to plan or evaluate a future sedentary behavior intervention for older persons, including identifying the content and intensity of activities.

Functional Capacity of Tai Chi-Practicing Elderly People

Research shows that ageing is modifiable or modulable, attending to external modifications and lifestyle factors: physical activity has a unique contribution to functional health and energy balance. Extensive research shows Tai Chi (TC) produced a major physical condition. To determine the impact of lifestyle on functional capacity, comparing the impact of continued long-life practice. 113 individuals (±71.53 years old): (a) PTC (n = 27); senior competitors, life-long training; (b) TC (n = 27); ±4 years; (c) Keep-Fit (KF n = 36); ±4 years; and the control group (d) sedentary individuals (SI n = 23). Five tests from the Senior Fitness Test (SFT) were used to assess the physical condition. The TC group showed significantly better results than the KF group: 30-s chair stand (23.22 ± 3.08 * rep vs. 17.17 ± 2.96 rep), chair sit-and-reach (2.19 ± 4.85 * cm vs. −1.93 ± 5.46 cm) and back scratch (1.02 ± 4.46 * cm vs. −2.43 ± 5.78 cm). The TCP group showed better results than the TC group: 30-s chair stand (27.70 ± 4.98 * rep vs. 23.22 ± 3.08 rep), 30-s arm curl (30.22 ± 4.36 * rep vs. 23.48 ± 3.42 rep), chair sit-and-reach (13.07 ± 4.00 * cm vs. 2.19 ± 4.85 cm) and back scratch (5.48 ± 3.51 * cm vs. 1.02 ± 4.46 cm). Among the different activities analysed, TC showed better results in SFT tests; in particular considering the long-life training of this martial art.

The Associations between Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Physical Function in Community-Dwelling Older Japanese Men and Women

Objective: The relationships between physical activity (PA) and physical function (PF) among older Japanese adults have been examined before, with some studies reporting that moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is positively associated with PF. However, it is unclear whether the observed associations differ between men and women. In this study, we investigated the associations of objectively measured MVPA, light physical activity (LPA), and sedentary time (ST) with different PF levels in older Japanese men and women. Subjects and Methods: A total of 810 community-dwelling subjects aged 65–75 years were investigated (52.1% women, 47.9% men). The PF variables included grip strength, one-leg standing, usual and maximum walking speeds, and chair-standing time. PA (MVPA, LPA, and ST) and the number of steps taken daily were assessed for seven consecutive days by a tri-axial accelerometer. We determined the sex-specific quartiles of MVPA, LPA, and ST and analyzed their associations with physical function in separate models for each exposure measure. Results: In the crude analysis, MVPA was significantly associated with all PF variables in the men, and with the usual walking speed, max. walking speed, and chair-standing time in the women. Neither LPA nor ST was significantly associated with any PF variables. After adjusting potential confounding factors, significant associations between MVPA and usual walking speed remained in the men and women. Conclusions: Only greater moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was significantly associated with higher levels of PF variables in both men and women. Thus, time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) can help older adults maintain or improve their physical function.

Gut Microbiota, Probiotic Interventions, and Cognitive Function in the Elderly: A Review of Current Knowledge

Changes in the composition and proportions of the gut microbiota may be associated with numerous diseases, including cognitive impairment. Over the recent years, the growing interest in this relation is observed, but there are still many unknowns, especially in the elderly. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work that synthesizes and critically evaluates existing evidence on the possible association between human gut microbiota and cognitive function in the elderly. For this purpose, comprehensive literature searches were conducted using the electronic databases PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect. The gut microbiota of cognitively healthy and impaired elderly people may differ in the diversity and abundance of individual taxes, but specific taxes cannot be identified. However, some tendencies to changing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio can be identified. Currently, clinical trials involving probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics supplementation have shown that there are premises for the claim that these factors can improve cognitive functions, however there is no single intervention beneficial to the elderly population. More reliable evidence from large-scale, long-period RCT is needed. Despite proposing several potential mechanisms of the gut microbiota's influence on the cognitive function impairment, prospective research on this topic is extremely difficult to conduct due to numerous confounding factors that may affect the gut microbiota. Heterogeneity of research outcomes impairs insight into these relations.

Questionnaires for assessing self-perceived physical fitness: A systematic review

This systematic review aimed to identify and summarize the reliability and validity of the questionnaires that have been designed for assessing self-perceived physical fitness (PF) in elderly people. Three electronic databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, SPORTDiscuss and Scopus) were searched systematically from their inception until March 2021 in order to find investigations that provided information on the reliability and/or validity of questionnaires used for identifying self-perceived PF in this population. Nine studies fulfilled these criteria, and seven questionnaires were found, five of them being specifically designed for the elderly. Concurrent validity was mostly obtained by correlating the items of the questionnaires with PF field-based tests, and poor to moderately strong associations were obtained. Test-retest reliability was informed in five questionnaires, and high values were generally observed. The SRFit questionnaire showed the best rates of concurrent validity and test-retest reliability, although these results were partially affected by the mean age of the sample. The lack of a rigorous methodological approach when designing these questionnaires detected in this review, asks for further studies using quantitative and qualitative approaches in order to create more solid and valid measurement tools.

Preoperative physical activity predicts postoperative functional recovery in gastrointestinal cancer patients

PURPOSE

The present study aimed to investigate the association between preoperative physical activity (PA) and postoperative functional recovery in gastrointestinal cancer patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this prospective study, we included 101 patients who underwent colorectal or gastric cancer surgery. Primary outcome was 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) decline ratio ((postoperative 6MWD value - preoperative 6MWD value)/preoperative 6MWD value × 100 (%)), which was determined as postoperative functional recovery. Patients were divided into two groups according to the median of 6MWD decline ratio: above the median (non-decline group) and below the median (decline group). The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SV) (the usual seven-day short version) was used to assess preoperative PA and sedentary time. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictive factors of postoperative functional recovery.

RESULTS

Preoperative PA (odds ratio (OR): 3.812; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.326-10.956; p = 0.01), 6MWD (OR: 1.006; 95% CI: 1.002-1.011; p < 0.01), C-reactive protein (OR: 4.138; 95% CI: 1.383-12.377; p = 0.01), and combined resection (OR: 3.425; 95% CI: 1.101-10.649; p = 0.03) were associated with postoperative functional recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative PA is a predictor of postoperative functional recovery in patients who undergoing gastrointestinal cancer surgery.Implications for rehabilitationThe association between preoperative physical activity (PA) and postoperative functional recovery has been unclear in gastrointestinal cancer patients.We indicated that preoperative PA predicts postoperative functional recovery.Patients who low preoperative PA need to be monitored carefully in the postoperative course.Patients with low preoperative PA may need enhanced postoperative rehabilitation to reduce postoperative functional decline.

The association of objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behavior with skeletal muscle strength and muscle power in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Engaging in physical activity (PA) and avoiding sedentary behavior (SB) are important for healthy ageing with benefits including the mitigation of disability and mortality. Whether benefits extend to key determinants of disability and mortality, namely muscle strength and muscle power, is unclear.

AIMS

This systematic review aimed to describe the association of objective measures of PA and SB with measures of skeletal muscle strength and muscle power in community-dwelling older adults.

METHODS

Six databases were searched from their inception to June 21^st, 2020 for articles reporting associations between objectively measured PA and SB and upper body or lower body muscle strength or muscle power in community dwelling adults aged 60 years and older. An overview of associations was visualized by effect direction heat maps, standardized effect sizes were estimated with albatross plots and summarized in box plots. Articles reporting adjusted standardized regression coefficients (β) were included in meta-analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 112 articles were included representing 43,796 individuals (range: 21 to 3726 per article) with a mean or median age from 61.0 to 88.0 years (mean 56.4 % female). Higher PA measures and lower SB were associated with better upper body muscle strength (hand grip strength), upper body muscle power (arm curl), lower body muscle strength, and lower body muscle power (chair stand test). Median standardized effect sizes were consistently larger for measures of PA and SB with lower compared to upper body muscle strength and muscle power. The meta-analyses of adjusted β coefficients confirmed the associations between total PA (TPA), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and light PA (LPA) with hand grip strength (β = 0.041, β = 0.057, and β = 0.070, respectively, all p ≤ 0.001), and TPA and MVPA with chair stand test (β = 0.199 and β = 0.211, respectively, all p ≤ 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher PA and lower SB are associated with greater skeletal muscle strength and muscle power, particularly with the chair stand test.

Voice Assistant Application for Avoiding Sedentarism in Elderly People Based on IoT Technologies

The rise in the use of virtual assistants such as Siri, Google Assistant, or Alexa among different sectors of society is facilitating access to information and services that were previously inconceivable due to the existing digital divide due to age. This situation allows especially the elderly to perform tasks much more easily and to access applications and services that could be a challenge for them with other digital user interfaces. With this in mind, the EMERITI project aims to improve the lives of the elderly through the use of virtual assistants in different case studies. In this sense, virtual voice assistants along with the use of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies can contribute to avoid sedentarism in the elderly; however, it is necessary to address the problem of proactivity presented by the virtual assistants available in the market. This article presents a solution that, through the use of activity monitoring smart bracelets, IoT devices and virtual voice assistants allow the elderly to monitor their daily physical activity simply by using their voice and therefore prevent them from sedentary patterns. Finally, this study presents the technical results obtained after the deployment of the proposed system and discusses the main advantages and the current challenges of the use of virtual assistants in applications to prevent sedentary lifestyles in the elderly.

Effect of tai chi on glycaemic control, lipid metabolism and body composition in adults with type 2 diabetes: A meta-analysis and systematic review

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effects of tai chi on metabolic control and body composition indicators in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis of existing literature.

METHODS

Electronic resource databases were searched to collect eligible studies. Two reviewers selected studies and independently evaluated method-ological quality.

RESULTS

Twenty-three studies were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled results showed that tai chi had significant effects in improving metabolic indices, such as fasting blood glucose (mean differ-ence (MD) = -1.04; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) -1.42 to 0.66; p < 0.01) and total cholesterol (MD = -0.50; 95% CI -0.86 to -0.13; p < 0.01) compared with conventional clinical therapy. Most in-dices did not support the use of tai chi over aerobic exercise, except for glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) (MD = -0.24; 95% CI -0.49 to 0.00; p < 0.01) and high-density lipoprotein (MD = 0.07; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.12; p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Tai chi had better effects on metabolic control and body composition indicators than clinical conventional therapy, but only on HbA1c and HDL were superior than that of aerobic exercise. The best time-window for tai chi intervention may differ with different metabolic indices.

Objectively Measured Sedentary Behavior and Physical Fitness in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Sedentary behavior has been considered an independent risk factor to health. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine associations between objectively measured sedentary time and physical fitness components in healthy adults. Methods: Four electronic databases (Web of Science, Scopus, Pubmed and Sport Discus) were searched (up to 20 September 2020) to retrieve studies on healthy adults which used observational, cohort and cross-sectional designs. Studies were included if sedentary time was measured objectively and examined associations with the health- or skill-related attributes of physical fitness (e.g., muscular strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, balance). After applying additional search criteria, 21 papers (11,101 participants) were selected from an initial pool of 5192 identified papers. Results: Significant negative associations were found between total sedentary time with cardiorespiratory fitness (r = −0.164, 95%CI: −0.240, −0.086, p < 0.001), muscular strength (r = −0.147, 95%CI: −0.266, −0.024, p = 0.020) and balance (r = −0.133, 95%CI: −0.255, −0.006, p = 0.040). Conclusions: The evidence found suggests that sedentary time can be associated with poor physical fitness in adults (i.e., muscular strength, cardiorespiratory fitness and balance), so strategies should be created to encourage behavioral changes.

Increasing time spent engaging in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity by community-dwelling adults following a transient ischemic attack or non-disabling stroke: a systematic review

Purpose: The risk of recurrent stroke following a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or non-disabling stroke is high. Clinical guidelines recommend this patient population accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity each week to reduce the risk of recurrent stroke. We aimed to identify interventions that increase time adults spend in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity following TIA or non-disabling stroke.Method: We searched thirteen databases for articles of secondary prevention interventions reporting outcomes for duration in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity or exercise capacity.Results: Eight trials were identified (n = 2653). Of these, three (n = 198) reported changes in time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Only one trial (n = 70), reported significant change in time spent engaging in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (between-group difference: 11.7 min/day [95% CI 4.07-19.33]) when comparing participation in a six-month exercise education intervention to usual care. No trial measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity after intervention end.Conclusion: Despite recommendations to participate in regular physical activity at moderate-to-vigorous intensity for secondary stroke prevention, there is very little evidence for effective interventions for this patient population. There is need for clinically feasible interventions that result in long-term participation in physical activity in line with clinical guidelines. Trial registration: Protocol registration: PROSPERO CRD42018092840Implications for rehabilitationThere is limited evidence of the effectiveness of interventions that aim to increase time spent engaging in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for people following a TIA or non-disabling stroke.A program comprising aerobic and resistance exercises ≥2 per week, supervised by a health professional (supplemented with a home program) over at least 24 weeks appears to be effective in assisting people adhere to recommended levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity after TIA or non-disabling stroke.Secondary prevention programs which include health professional supervised exercise sessions contribute to better adherence to physical activity guidelines; didactic sessions alone outlining frequency and intensity are unlikely to be sufficient.

Effects of Augmented-Reality-Based Exercise on Muscle Parameters, Physical Performance, and Exercise Self-Efficacy for Older Adults

This study was intended to determine the applicability of an augmented-reality-based muscle reduction prevention exercise program for elderly Korean women by observing changes in exercise self-efficacy and verifying the effectiveness of the program in the elderly after the application of the program. A total of 27 participants, who were elderly women aged 65+ and had not participated in any exercise programs until this study, were recruited for this study. They were divided into an experimental group (13 people) and a control group (14 people), and then the augmented-reality-based muscle reduction prevention exercise program was applied. This was a 30-min program, which included regular, aerobic, and flexibility exercises, and it was applied 5 times a week for 12 weeks. As a result of observing changes, it was found that the appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) (F = 11.222, p < 0.002) and the skeletal muscle index (SMI) (kg/m²) (F = 10.874, p < 0.003) muscle parameters increased more in the experimental group compared to the control group, and there was a significant increase in gait speed (m/s) (F = 7.221, p < 0.005). For physical performance, as a result of conducting the Senior Fitness Test (SFT), a significant change was observed in the chair stand test (F = 5.110, p < 0.033), 2-min step test (2MST) (F = 6.621, p < 0.020), and the timed up-and-go test (TUG) (F = 5.110, p < 0.032) and a significant increase was also observed for exercise self-efficacy (F = 20.464, p < 0.001). Finally, the augmented-reality-based exercise program in this study was found to be effective in inducing physical activity in the elderly. Therefore, the augmented-reality-based muscle reduction prevention exercise program is considered to be effective in increasing the sustainability of exercise, thus preventing muscle reduction in the elderly.

Domain-Specific and Total Sedentary Behavior Associated with Gait Velocity in Older Adults: The Mediating Role of Physical Fitness

Although it has been well-documented that older adults spend a significant amount of time being sedentary and have slower gait velocity, little is known of how physical fitness mediates the association between them. The main purpose of this study was to explore whether objectively measured physical fitness mediates the association between domain-specific and total sedentary behavior and gait velocity. We recruited 120 older adults aged ≥ 60 years. Sedentary behavior was assessed by the Measure of Older Adults’ Sedentary Time questionnaire. We used a Zebris pressure platform to assess gait velocity. To assess the level of overall physical fitness, we summed the z-scores of seven tests: (1) waist circumference, (2) chair stand in 30 s, (3) arm curl in 30 s, (4) 2-min step test, (5) chair sit-and-reach test, (6) back scratch test, and (7) 8-foot up-and-go test. Overall physical fitness was obtained by summing up all physical test z-scores. Gait velocity was significantly associated with all domain-specific and total sedentary behavior (β = −0.04 to −0.35, p < 0.05). Overall physical fitness was significantly associated with all domain-specific and total sedentary behavior (β = −0.21 to −1.24, p < 0.001) and gait velocity (β = 0.23 to 0.24, p < 0.001). When physical fitness was put as the mediator, significant direct effects between sedentary behavior and gait velocity disappeared. Results indicate that physical fitness fully mediates the association between sedentary behavior and gait velocity in older adults.