Measures of Physical Ability Are Unrelated to Objectively Measured Physical Activity Behavior in Older Adults Residing in Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Abstract Zalewski KR, Smith JC, Malzahn J, VanHart M, O'Connell D. 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. Design Cross-sectional analysis. Setting Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) in the greater Milwaukee area. Participants Older adults from independent or assisted living apartments (N=59). Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures 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.