Influence of sedentary behaviors and physical activity on the lung function in the elderly: a cross-sectional study

The purpose of this study was to verify the relation between sedentary time and physical activity levels (light to moderate to vigorous) on spirometric values in the elderly. In addition, we aimed to assess the effects of the implementation of the Global Recommendations of Physical Activity. Seventy-seven elderly (71.90 +/- 5.50 years) of both genders volunteered to participate in this cross-setional study, being divided into an active group (n= 37) (70.76 +/- 4.91 years) and an inactive group (n= 40) (72.95 +/- 5.87 years) according to the established guidelines. Sedentary and physical activity times were assessed using an ActiGraph (R) GT1M accelerometer. The Spirometer Microquark of Cosmed (R) was used to evaluate the spirometric values. Data analysis was based on descriptive, inferential and magnitude effects. There were no significant correlations between sedentary time and physical activity (light and moderate to vigorous) with spirometric values, nor were there significant differences between groups. Our results are clear as to the absence of significant statistical evidence about the relationship between the analyzed variables.