NEW ORLEANS—Older adults with multiple sclerosis (MS) who engaged more in light physical activity demonstrated better physical function independent of sedentary behavior and moderate-to-vigorous activity, according to research presented at the 31st Annual Meeting of the Consortium of MS Centers.
Katie L.J. Cederberg
“Such results might underscore light physical activity as a suitable target of future rehabilitative interventions for improving physical function in older adults with MS,” said Katie L.J. Cederberg, a doctoral student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Rate and pattern of participation in physical activity and sedentary behavior might be associated with a reduction of physical function among older adults with MS. Ms. Cederberg conducted a study that examined the associations among levels of light and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, sedentary behavior, and physical function in older adults with MS.
Ms. Cederberg’s study sample included 40 older adults with MS with a median age of 60. Participants wore an accelerometer during the waking hours of a seven-day period. In addition, Ms. Cederberg used cut-points for MS to process data for time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, light physical activity, and sedentary behavior. Finally, patients completed the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), the Six-Minute Walk Test, and the Timed 25-Foot Walk.
The median scores for time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and light physical activity were lower, and sedentary behavior was significantly greater, than those reported for older adults in the general population.
In addition, bivariate correlation analyses suggested that light physical activity and moderate to vigorous physical activity were associated with SPPB, Six-Minute Walk Test, and Timed 25-Foot Walk scores, but the association was stronger for light physical activity. Regression analyses yielded significant associations between light physical activity, but not moderate-to-vigorous physical activity or sedentary behavior, and SPPB, Six-Minute Walk Test, and Timed 25-Foot Walk scores.