Association between sedentary behavior and daily step count with physical performance of community-dwelling older adults participating in an exercise program interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study in Brazil.

One of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic was the interruption of exercise programs for older adults, significantly impacting their physical performance (PP). Few studies have identified the effects of the interruption of exercise programs on the PP of older adults, and none have assessed the relationship between this outcome and objectively measured daily step count and sedentary behavior (SB). This study assessed the association between SB and daily step count with PP in 42 community-dwelling older adults (73.86±6.78 years old, 88.10% female) after an 18-month interruption of an exercise program due to the COVID-19 pandemic. SB and daily step count were measured using the activPAL3™ micro accelerometer, while PP was assessed through the 30-s sit-to-stand test, handgrip strength test, and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation test and linear regression model. Results showed that daily step count was significantly correlated with PP (r=0.38 to 0.42). Regression analysis revealed that a mean increment of 1,000 steps/day was associated with a mean increase of 0.31 repetitions in the sit-to-stand test, 0.89 kgF in handgrip strength, and a mean reduction of 0.30-s in TUG time. Additionally, older adults who reached approximately 9,325 steps/day demonstrated better PP outcomes compared to those who accumulated a lower number of daily steps. However, SB was not significantly associated with PP (P>0.05). These findings suggest that accumulating high amounts of daily steps may help mitigate declines in PP when structured exercise programs are interrupted.