Differences in physical function and metabolic syndrome risk factors according to the level of physical activity in elderly Korean men: a pilot study

Background and objective: Managing the decrease in physical function in the elderly is a major task in aging societies globally. Here, we aimed to compare the physical function and metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors according to levels of physical activity (PA). Material and methods: We measured PA in 77 elderly Korean men (74.21 +/- 6.26 years old) with an accelerometer and recorded body composition, physical function, and MetS-related risk factors. Participants were divided into three groups based on daily moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA): low (under 60 min), middle (60-120 min), and high (over 120 min). The groups were compared using a one-way analysis of variance and the Scheffe post hoc test. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated by logistic regression analysis. Results: Significant differences were found between the groups for sedentary behavior time (P < 0.001), light PA (P < 0.05), moderate PA (P < 0.001), vigorous PA (P < 0.05), and total energy expenditure (P < 0.001). The high PA group showed a significantly lower percentage of body fat and fat mass and higher muscle mass than did the low and middle PA groups (P < 0.05). The 6-min walk test was significantly better in the high PA group than in the low and middle PA groups (P < 0.05). Grip strength and the Berg balance scale were also significantly better in the high PA group (P < 0.05). Bone mineral density (BMD) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were significantly higher in the high PA group than in the low PA group (P < 0.05). Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was significantly higher in the middle PA group than in the low PA group (P < 0.05). Participants with more than three MetS criteria showed an OR of 0.09 (95% confidence interval 0.01-0.82) in the high PA group as compared with the low PA group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Moderate-vigorous physical activity of more than 120 min daily showed better physical function and lower OR of MetS than did lower MVPA levels in elderly Korean men.