Locomotive Syndrome Associated With Daily Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity in Community‐dwelling Older Adults: A Cross-sectional Analysis

Background: Locomotive syndrome (LS) is associated with weakness and loss of function in the musculoskeletal organs. To evaluate the association between LS and daily physical activities (PA) in community-dwelling older adults using a three-axis accelerometer. Methods: This cross-sectional study included healthy 80 older adults (40 men and 40 women; age: 60-79 years). Three functional tests, the two-step test, the stand-up test, and the 25-question geriatric locomotive function scale (GLFS) were used to assess the risk of LS. Maximal isometric muscle strengths of the knee extensors were examined, and the weight bearing index (knee extension strength/body weight) was calculated. Habitual daily PA was evaluated using a three-axis wrist accelerometer. Results: Of the 80 participants, 41 (51.3%) fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for LS (including a two-step test score < 1.3, difficulty with one-leg standing from 40 cm in the stand-up test, and a 25-question GLFS score ≥ 7) We found that step count and time spent performing moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) were significantly higher in women participants without LS compared to those with LS (p = 0.01); no significant difference was found in men. Logistic regression analyses indicated a longer time spent performing MVPA (> 47.26 min/day) was associated with a lower risk of LS compared to only performing for 21.11 min/day. Conclusions: Our data showed that daily MVPA using a three-axis accelerometer was associated with LS in community-dwelling older adult women, but not in men.