Is older adults' physical activity during transport compensated during other activities? Comparing 4 study cohorts using GPS and accelerometer data. (March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brondeel, Ruben; Wasfi, Rania; Perchoux, Camille; Chaix, Basile; Gerber, Philippe; Gauvin, Lise; Richard, Lucie; Gaudreau, Pierrette; Thierry, Benoit; Chevrier, Martin; Hoj, Stine; Kestens, Yan
• Is Part Of: Journal of transport & health. Volume 12(2019)
• Page Start: 229
• Page End: 236
• Publication Date: 2019-03
• Subjects: Transport physical activity -- Active transport interventions -- Accelerometer -- Global positioning system -- Total volume physical activity -- ActivityStat; Transportation -- Health aspects -- Periodicals; Transportation -- Periodicals; Public Health -- Periodicals; Noise, Transportation -- Periodicals; Air Pollutants -- Periodicals; 388
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jth.2019.02.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-1405

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Promoting active transport offers the potential to increase population physical activity levels. Compensation theories state that above-average physical activity in one activity is compensated in later activities; a mechanism that results in stable levels of total physical activity. Little is known about possible compensation of transport physical activity among older adults. Methods: GPS (Global Positioning System) and accelerometer data collected among older adults (65+) were pooled from four cohorts in Canada, Luxembourg, and France (n=636, collected between 2012 and 2016). Physical activity was measured as total volume of physical activity for trips and non-trip activities. Robust linear regressions on person-centered data were used to test within-person associations between transport and total physical activity. Results: 636 older adults – median age of 76 years, 49% women - provided accelerometer and GPS data for at least 4 days. 18% of the total volume of physical activity was related to transport. A positive association was found between physical activity during a trip and the physical activity during the next hour, among those with lower levels of regular physical activity. Negative associations - indicating partial compensation - were found between transport physical activity during a day, and both total physical activity during the next day and non-transport physical activity during the same day. No differences were found between the four study cohorts. Conclusions: Transport physical activity is compensated partially by older adults during non-transport physical activity. Given the presence of compensation, we strongly recommend evaluations of transport interventions to measure and analyze both non-transport and transport physical activity. Highlights: Older adults with low regular physical activity seemed energized after active trips About 14% of additional transport physical activity was compensated the next day About 25% of additional transport physical activity was compensated the same day Transport intervention evaluations need to evaluate non-transport physical activity