Measures of physical ability are unrelated to objectively measured physical activity behavior in older adults residing in continuing care retirement communities.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the relationship between measures of physical performance, physical activity, and self-reported physical activity.


METHODS
Cross-sectional analysis.


METHODS
Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) in the greater Milwaukee area.


METHODS
Older adults from independent or assisted living apartments (N=59).


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Physical performance was measured with comfortable and fast gait speeds and the six-minute walk test. Physical activity was measured by an ankle-mounted accelerometer to observe daily steps; stepping rate was averaged over a 7-day wear time. Self-reported physical activity was measured by the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE).


RESULTS
Participants reported walking more steps per day than older adults who are not living in CCRCs. There was no relationship between physical abilities and total steps walked (r=.087-.213, P>.05). No relationship was observed between measures of physical performance or total steps and PASE scores (r=-.034-.177, P = not significant). The relative contributions of physical activity categories to total PASE score were different than published reports for older adults not living in CCRCs.


CONCLUSIONS
Common measures of physical performance often used by clinicians in making decisions on rehabilitation outcomes do not appear to be related to the actual functioning of older adults residing in senior communities. The nature of the environment customized to the needs of the older adult may facilitate increased physical activity participation independent of physical abilities.
Zalewski
Kathryn R
KR
Department of Human Movement Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53201, USA. zalewski@uwm.edu
Smith
J Carson
JC
Malzahn
Jake
J
VanHart
Mark
M
O'Connell
Derek
D
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D040561:Assisted Living Facilities; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness; D016138:Walking