Low-Intensity Walking Activity Is Associated With Better Health

We examined the cross-sectional association between low-intensity walking activity (<100 steps/min) and health and physical function in a group of older adults. Participants (N = 187; age = 66.8; 91.4% African American; 76.5% female) wore a StepWatch Activity Monitor to measure components of low-intensity walking activity. Only 7% of participants met physical activity guidelines and moderate-intensity activity (≥100 steps/min) contributed only 10% of the total steps/day and 2% of the total min/day. Greater amount, frequency, and duration of low-intensity activity were associated with better self-report and performance-based measures of physical function, better quality of life, and fewer depressive symptoms (ps < .05). The cross-sectional relationship between low-intensity activity and health outcomes important to independent function suggests that we further explore the longitudinal benefits of low-intensity activity.

Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - September 16, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Varma, V. R., Tan, E. J., Wang, T., Xue, Q.-L., Fried, L. P., Seplaki, C. L., King, A. C., Seeman, T. E., Rebok, G. W., Carlson, M. C. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research