Diurnal Profiles of Locomotive and Household Activities Using an Accelerometer in Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Survey

• Main Authors: Harutoshi Sakakima, Seiya Takada, Kosuke Norimatsu, Shotaro Otsuka, Kazuki Nakanishi, Akira Tani
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-07-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: physical activity; aging; rehabilitation; musculoskeletal disease
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/15/5337

The present study investigates the diurnal profiles of locomotive and household activities in older adults with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) using an accelerometer. Furthermore, we examined the effect of chronic pain on their diurnal profiles in both activities. Seventy-one older adults with MSDs (73–89 years) were included in this cross-sectional survey, and 25 age-matched older adults (75–86 years) were selected as healthy older adults. The daily physical activities, including steps walked and locomotive and household activity intensities, were recorded using a triaxial accelerometer in terms of metabolic equivalent task-hours per week (MET-h/week). The diurnal profiles of steps and locomotive activities in older adults with MSDs were considerably lower than those of healthy older adults. In contrast, there was no significant decline in household activity. However, the locomotive and household activities were reduced by severe chronic pain. This survey demonstrated that the diurnal profiles of household activity in older people with MSDs as well as those in age-matched healthy older adults were maintained. Furthermore, severe chronic pain influenced both activities. Therefore, the maintenance of household activity throughout the day, as well as the management of chronic pain, may be important strategies for the promotion of physical activity in older people with MSDs.