Objectively measured physical activity and physical performance in old age.
physical performance is a key factor that determines how older people cope with daily tasks and maintain independency. There is strong evidence suggesting that physical activity (PA) is important in maintaining physical performance in old age. However, most studies have been done using self-reported PA. Our aim was to explore the association between objectively measured PA and physical performance in old age.



we studied 695 participants (mean age 70.7 years, SD 2.7) from the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study. Physical performance was assessed with the Senior Fitness Test (SFT) and PA with a multisensory activity monitor SenseWear Pro 3 Armband.



total volume of PA was significantly associated with the overall SFT score (β = 0.08; 95% confidence interval: 0.07-0.10, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences between men and women. Both light and moderate to vigorous level of PA were positively associated with the overall SFT score, while sedentary time was negatively associated with the overall SFT score.



volume of objectively measured PA among older people was positively associated with the physical performance measured with a validated fitness test battery.
Folkhalsan, Helsinki, Finland.|Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, Helsingin Yliopisto Laaketieteellinen tiedekunta  Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
Hanna
H
Jantunen
Folkhalsan, Helsinki, Finland.|Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, Helsingin Yliopisto Laaketieteellinen tiedekunta  Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
Niko
N
Wasenius
Department of Health, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland.
Minna K
MK
Salonen
The National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland.
Mia-Maria
MM
Perälä
MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
Clive
C
Osmond
Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Hannu
H
Kautiainen
Department of Social Research, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Mika
M
Simonen
Age Institute, Helsinki, Finland.
Pertti
P
Pohjolainen
Chronic Disease Prevention Unit, Terveyden ja hyvinvoinnin laitos, Helsinki, Finland.|Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki-Children's Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.|PEDEGO Research Unit, MRC Oulu, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
Eero
E
Kajantie
Gerontology Research Center and Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland.
Taina
T
Rantanen
Folkhalsan, Helsinki, Finland.|Gerontology Research Center and Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland.
Mikaela Birgitta
MB
von Bonsdorff
Department of Health, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland.|Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.|Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland.
Johan G
JG
Eriksson
D056044:Actigraphy / Q000295:instrumentation; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D000072936:Fitness Trackers; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D057185:Sedentary Behavior
Senior Fitness Test; ageing; older people; physical activity; physical functioning; physical performance