BMC Geriatrics | 2021
Is achieving 7,000 steps/day cross-sectionally and prospectively associated with older adults’ lower-extremity performance?
Abstract
Background Evidence regarding the association between daily steps recommendation and older adults’ lower limb strength is lacking; thus, this study investigated whether taking at least 7,000 steps/day is cross-sectionally and prospectively related to lower-extremity performance in older Taiwanese adults. Methods There were 89 community-dwelling adults aged over 60 years (mean age: 69.5 years) attending both baseline and follow-up surveys. This study used adjusted logistic regression analysis to explore cross-sectional and prospective relationships between their accelerometer-assessed daily steps and lower-extremity performance (five-times-sit-to-stand test). Results This study found the older adults who took 7,000 steps/day were more likely to have better lower-extremity performance cross-sectionally (odds ratio [OR]\u2009=\u20093.82; 95\u2009% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04, 13.95; p \u2009=\u20090.04), as well as to maintain or increase their lower-extremity performance prospectively (OR\u2009=\u20093.53; 95\u2009% CI: 1.05, 11.84; p \u2009=\u20090.04). Conclusions Our findings support a minimum recommended level of step-based physical activity for older adults, namely, 7,000 steps/day, as beneficial for maintaining or increasing older adults’ lower-extremity performance.