ArticlePhysical therapy research2026
Longitudinal Effects of Snow-season Activity Decline on Physical Function in Older Adults in Rural Snowy Regions.
Article in Physical therapy research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Abstract
Objectives: Physical activity levels vary seasonally, but the short-term impact of intensity-specific activity changes on older adults' physical function remains unclear. This study aimed to examine seasonal changes in physical activity and their effects on physical function among older adults in a rural, snowy region. Methods: Thirty-nine older adults from Tobetsu-cho, Hokkaido, Japan, were included. Body composition and physical function were assessed during the non-snowfall season (June-September 2023) and 1 year later (June-September 2024). Accelerometers measured step counts and activity levels during both the non-snowfall and snowfall seasons (January-February 2024). Participants were grouped by the extent of change in activity levels (greater-change vs. smaller-change). Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) assessed differences in 1-year changes in physical function. Results: Repeated-measures 2-way ANOVA showed a significant main effect of season on body fat percentage, appendicular skeletal muscle mass index, grip strength, and walking speed in the light-intensity physical activity (LPA) category. A significant interaction was observed for the Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST). Bonferroni's test revealed a significant worsening of FTSST scores ( Conclusions: A greater decrease in LPA during the snowfall was associated with short-term declines in lower-limb function, as measured by FTSST. Given its link to fall risk and loss of independence, maintaining LPA during snowy seasons may be essential for maintaining lower-limb function in older adults.
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