Physical Inactivity and Possible Sarcopenia in Rural Community Daycare Stations of Taiwan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Yu-Zu Wu, Ching-Hui Loh, Jyh-Gang Hsieh and Shinn-Zong Lin
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Yu-Zu Wu: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan
Ching-Hui Loh: Center for Aging and Health, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 97002, Taiwan
Jyh-Gang Hsieh: School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan
Shinn-Zong Lin: Department of Neurosurgery, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 97002, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 4, 1-12

Abstract: Physical inactivity and possible sarcopenia pose a challenge for long-term care, especially in rural areas. We aimed to examine the prevalence of and associated factors for physical inactivity and possible sarcopenia in rural community daycare stations. A total of 275 adults aged 55–98 years (75% women) were recruited from all 11 rural community daycare stations in Northern Hualien, Taiwan. Physical inactivity was defined as less than 150 min/week of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity. Possible sarcopenia was defined according to the Asian-specific criteria from 2019. Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses were used to determine associated factors for physical inactivity and possible sarcopenia. The prevalence of physical inactivity and possible sarcopenia was 29.1% and 68.7%, respectively. About 86.8% of possible sarcopenia were ascribed to poor five-times-sit-to-stand performance. After adjusting for covariates, poor lower-limb muscle function, e.g., slow gait speed, was associated with possible sarcopenia and physical inactivity. However, physical inactivity was not independently associated with possible sarcopenia (adjusted odds ratio 1.95, 95% confidence interval 0.88–4.30, p = 0.100). Our results indicated that individuals with poor lower-limb muscle function were more likely to have possible sarcopenia and physical inactivity. Improving lower-limb muscle function would be a priority task in rural community daycare stations.

Keywords: daycare station; physical inactivity; physical performance; possible sarcopenia; prevalence; rural community (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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