AGMR

Background: Physical activity is important in the management of frailty. Here we determine if specific frailty deficits relate to lower activity across degrees of frailty, and what types of physical activities are commonly reported.Methods: Accelerometer data from 6817 adults 20–85 years old (2003–2004/2005–2006 cycles) of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed. Moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) was measured in 1-minute bouts. Frailty was measured with a 46-item frailty index consisting of chronic conditions, healthcare utilization, difficulties in activities of daily living (ADL), and laboratory deficits. Individuals were stratified into frailty groups: non-frail, <0.10 (53%; n = 3610); minimally frail, 0.10–0.20 (26%; n = 1776); and frail, >0.20 (21%; n = 1431). Linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, demographics, and accelerometer wear time.Results: Among the total sample, the presence of individual deficits were generally associated with lower MVPA. The presence of more chronic conditions, ADLs, abnormal laboratory values, and greater healthcare utilization had an independent dose association with lower MVPA. The effect of frailty deficits on MVPA were attenuated when examining individuals by frailty level. The number of ADLs, but not the number of chronic conditions or number of laboratory deficits, were independently associated with a lower MVPA level across frailty levels. Healthcare use was associated with less MVPA in the lower frailty groups. The two most popular reported physical activities were walking and cycling across all frailty levels. Conclusions: Deficits in ADLs, but not chronic conditions or laboratory deficits, were consistently associated with lower MVPA across frailty levels.

frail elderly; accelerometry; physical activity