Physical activity profiles and glucose metabolism — A population‐based cross‐sectional study in older adults

The aim was to analyze the relationship of accelerometry measured physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (SED) profiles to glucose metabolism in 660 people aged 67‐69 years. In this cross‐sectional study, four different PA profiles were identified (couch potatoes, light movers, sedentary actives, actives) based on moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and SED. Glucose metabolism was determined by an oral glucose tolerance test. The prevalence of any glucose metabolism disorder was lower in more active PA profiles than in less active profiles (couch potatoes 50%, actives 33%). According to multivariable linear regression, insulin resistance, 120‐min glucose, and insulin values were lower among the actives compared with the couch potatoes (HOMA‐IR: β = −0.239, 95% CI − 0.456 to −0.022, P = .031; 120‐min glucose: β = −0.459, 95% CI − 0.900 to −0.019, P = .041; 120‐min insulin: β = −0.210, 95% CI − 0.372 to −0.049, P = .011). Prevalence of glucose metabolism disorders were lower and insulin sensitivity was better among the actives compared with the couch potatoes. Active lifestyle with daily MVPA and low SED seems to improve glucose metabolism even in older age and should be recommended for older adults.