Association of Accelerometry‐Measured Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Events in Mobility‐Limited Older Adults: The LIFE (Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders) Study
Authors: Cochrane Shannon K. , Chen Shyh‐Huei , Fitzgerald Jodi D. , Dodson John A. , Fielding Roger A. , King Abby C. , McDermott Mary M. , Manini Todd M. , Marsh Anthony P. , Newman Anne B. , Pahor Marco , Tudor‐Locke Catrine , Ambrosius Walter T. , Buford Thomas W. , Espeland Mark A. , Applegate William , Beavers Daniel P. , Byington Robert P. , Cook Delilah , Furberg Curt D. , Harvin Lea N. , Henkin Leora , Hepler John , Hsu Fang‐Chi , Lovato Laura , Roberson Wesley , Rushing Julia , Rushing Scott , Stowe Cynthia L. , Walkup Michael P. , Hire Don , Rejeski W. Jack , Katula Jeffrey A. , Brubaker Peter H. , Mihalko Shannon L. , Jennings Janine M. , Pierce June J. , Romashkan Sergei , Patel Kushang V. , Bonds Denise , Spring Bonnie , Hauser Joshua , Kerwin Diana , Domanchuk Kathryn , Graff Rex , Rego Alvito , Blair Steven N. , Myers Valerie H. , Monce Ron , Britt Nathan E. , Harris Melissa Nauta , McGucken Ami Parks , Rodarte Ruben , Millet Heidi K. , Butitta Ben P. , Donatto Sheletta G. , Cocreham Shannon H. , Castro Cynthia M. , Haskell William L. , Stafford Randall S. , Pruitt Leslie A. , Berra Kathy , Yank Veronica , Anton Stephen D. , Nayfield Susan , Marsiske Michael , Sandesara Bhanuprasad D. , Knaggs Jeffrey D. , Lorow Megan S. , Marena William C. , Korytov Irina , Morris Holly L. , Fitch Margo , Singletary Floris F. , Causer Jackie , Radcliff Katie A. , Studenski Stephanie A. , Goodpaster Bret H. , Glynn Nancy W. , Lopez Oscar , Nadkarni Neelesh K. , Williams Kathy , Newman Mark A. , Grove George , Bonk Janet T. , Rush Jennifer , Kost Piera , Ives Diane G. , Brinkley Tina E. , Demons Jamehl S. , Sink Kaycee M. , Kennedy Kimberly , Shertzer‐Skinner Rachel , Wrights Abbie , Fries Rose , Barr Deborah , Axtell Robert S. , Kashaf Susan S. , de Rekeneire Nathalie , McGloin Joanne M. , Wu Karen C. , Shepard Denise M. , Fennelly Barbara , Iannone Lynne P. , Mautner Raeleen , Barnett Theresa Sweeney , Halpin Sean N. , Brennan Matthew J. , Bugaj Julie A. , Zenoni Maria A. , Mignosa Bridget M. , Sink Kaycee M. , Hendrie Hugh C. , Rapp Stephen R. , Verghese Joe , Woolard Nancy , Espeland Mark , Jennings Janine , Wilson Valerie K. , Handberg Eileen , Flynn Gail M. , Gill Thomas M. , Hankinson John L. , Vaz Fragoso Carlos A. , Kaplan Robert M. 
Published: December 2017

Background

Data are sparse regarding the value of physical activity (
PA
) surveillance among older adults—particularly among those with mobility limitations. The objective of this study was to examine longitudinal associations between objectively measured daily
PA
and the incidence of cardiovascular events among older adults in the
LIFE
(Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders) study.

Methods and Results

Cardiovascular events were adjudicated based on medical records review, and cardiovascular risk factors were controlled for in the analysis. Home‐based activity data were collected by hip‐worn accelerometers at baseline and at 6, 12, and 24 months postrandomization to either a physical activity or health education intervention.
LIFE
study participants (n=1590; age 78.9±5.2 [
SD
] years; 67.2% women) at baseline had an 11% lower incidence of experiencing a subsequent cardiovascular event per 500 steps taken per day based on activity data (hazard ratio, 0.89; 95% confidence interval, 0.84–0.96;
P
=0.001). At baseline, every 30 minutes spent performing activities ≥500 counts per minute (hazard ratio, 0.75; confidence interval, 0.65–0.89 [
P
=0.001]) were also associated with a lower incidence of cardiovascular events. Throughout follow‐up (6, 12, and 24 months), both the number of steps per day (per 500 steps; hazard ratio, 0.90, confidence interval, 0.85–0.96 [
P
=0.001]) and duration of activity ≥500 counts per minute (per 30 minutes; hazard ratio, 0.76; confidence interval, 0.63–0.90 [
P
=0.002]) were significantly associated with lower cardiovascular event rates.

Conclusions

Objective measurements of physical activity via accelerometry were associated with cardiovascular events among older adults with limited mobility (summary score >10 on the Short Physical Performance Battery) both using baseline and longitudinal data.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL
:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier:
NCT
01072500.