Is sitting time leading to mobility decline in long-term care residents?

Background: Little is known about the sitting time in long-term care (LTC) facilities, or if sedentary behaviour affects changes in mobility over time.

Aims: The objectives were to document the sitting time of LTC residents and to examine if sitting time could predict changes in mobility.

Methods: Twenty residents of an LTC facility, representing three mobility statuses (independent, assisted transfer, and dependent transfer) were included. Sitting time was defined using an ActivPAL. Mobility statuses were reviewed 12 months later.

Results: Participants spent an average of 21.9 h per day sedentary. At follow-up, five residents experienced a decline in mobility status, but no baseline sitting time variables were associated with the changes in mobility status (P > 0.05).

Discussion/conclusion: People living in LTC are highly sedentary. Sitting time differs amongst the mobility statues, but is unable to predict upcoming changes in mobility status.