Examining the links between regular leisure‐time physical activity, sitting time and prefrailty in community‐dwelling older adults

Aims To examine the relationship between leisure‐time physical activity, sitting time and prefrailty in community‐dwelling older adults. Design Cross‐sectional study. Methods Between February and July 2019, 539 individuals over age 60 were recruited in northern Taiwan. Demographic, medical history, physical activity and frailty data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi‐square tests and logistic regression. Results The prevalence of prefrailty was 24.4%; 33.2% had regular leisure‐time physical activity, and 14.7% reported >6 hrs daily sitting time. Compared with individuals having regular leisure‐time physical activity and shorter sitting times (daily average ≤6 hrs), those having no regular leisure‐time physical activity and also shorter sitting times (adjusted OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.12, 2.92), or those also having regular leisure‐time physical activity but longer sitting times (adjusted OR, 4.42; 95% CI, 2.22, 8.79) had an increased prefrailty risk. Conclusions Having no regular leisure‐time physical activity or longer sitting times is associated with a higher risk of prefrailty. For sedentary older adults to prevent prefrailty, they can become more active, sit less or better yet, commit to both.