Relationship between the Physical Activity and Walking Ability of the Elderly Requiring Minimal Assistance: Focus on Intensity of Daily Activity

[Purpose] To measure the physical activity of the elderly requiring minimal assistance, focusing on activity intensity, and to examine its relationship with the 10-m walking time (10-mWT). [Participants and Methods] The daily step counts, and time spent in physical activity (light [LPA] and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity [MVPA], 1.6–2.9 and ≥3.0 metabolic equivalents, respectively) of 28 elderly individuals (9 males, 19 females) requiring minimal assistance were measured. Their 10-mWT, grip strength, Timed Up & Go Test (TUG), Functional Reach Test, Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15), and life space assessments were also evaluated. [Results] For the 20 participants with successful measurements of physical activity, the times spent in LPA and MVPA were 306 ± 114 minutes/day and 16.6 ± 20.8 minutes/day, respectively. Multiple-regression analysis demonstrated that TUG and GDS-15 scores, MVPA, and grip strength were associated with the 10-mWT. [Conclusion] MVPA of the elderly requiring minimal assistance was lower than previously reported and may be associated with the 10-mWT.