Association of objectively measured sedentary behavior and physical activity with cardiometabolic risk markers in older adults

Objective The aim of this study was to examine the associations between sedentary behavior and different intensities of physical activity with cardiometabolic risk, and to analyze the simultaneous effect of excess sedentary behavior and recommended levels of physical activity on cardiometabolic risk markers in older adults. Methods We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study on a sample of older adults (60+) living in Florianopolis, Brazil. The objectively measured predictors were sedentary time, light physical activity and moderate to vigorous physical activity, and the outcomes were markers of cardiometabolic risk. Data were considered valid when the participant had used the accelerometer for at least four days per week. Results The sample included 425 older adults (59.8% women), with a mean age of 73.9 years (95% CI: 73.5-74.4). Sedentary behavior was associated with lower systolic blood pressure levels (beta = -0.03; 95% CI: -0.05; -0.01) and lower HDL cholesterol (beta = -0.02; 95% CI: -0.02; -0.01). Light physical activity was not associated with any cardiovascular risk markers after adjustment. Each minute spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity was associated with lower waist circumference (beta = -0.15; 95% CI: -0.24; -0.05), systolic blood pressure (beta = -0.18; 95% CI: -0.32; -0.04) and plasma glucose (beta = -0.18; 95% CI: -0.33;-0.02), and with higher HDL cholesterol (beta = 0.10; 95% CI: 0.01;0.18). Moreover, physically inactive and sedentary individuals had a greater mean waist circumference and lower HDL cholesterol than physically active and non-sedentary subjects. Conclusion The results suggest that moderate to vigorous physical activity have a positive impact on cardiometabolic risk markers in older adults. Light physical activity does not appear to have a beneficial effect on the cardiometabolic markers, and despite the benefits provided by the different intensities of physical activity, the simultaneous presence of sedentary behavior and low physical activity level was associated with poor cardiometabolic risk markers.