Accelerometer-assessed light-intensity physical activity and mortality among those with mobility limitations.

BACKGROUND: Emerging research demonstrates that light-intensity physical activity is favorably associated with numerous health outcomes among the general population, even independent of high-intensity physical activity.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between accelerometer-assessed light-intensity physical activity and mortality in a national sample of American adults with mobility limitations.

METHODS: Data from the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were utilized. Participants were followed through 2011. Based on self-report, analyzed participants included those with mobility limitations (N = 1369). Light-intensity physical activity was assessed via waist-mounted accelerometry.

RESULTS: For the sample, 108,010 person-months occurred with an all-cause mortality rate of 2.07 per 1000 person-months. After adjustments, for every 60 min/day increase in light-intensity physical activity, participants with mobility limitations had a 14% reduced risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.75-0.98; P = 0.03).

CONCLUSION: These findings underscore the importance of promoting light-intensity physical activity to those with mobility limitations.