Step counts on different days of the week and times of day during COVID-19 pandemic in older adults with hypertension: A longitudinal study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12820/rbafs.30e0417Keywords:
Coronavirus, Aging, Physical activity, Sedentary behavior, Risk factorsAbstract
Objective: To analyze the number of steps taken on different days of the week and at different times of day during the COVID-19 pandemic in older adults with hypertension. Methods: Older adults with hypertension and no major cardiovascular diseases (n = 32; 67 ± 4 years) were analyzed longitudinally (16-18 months follow-up; pre pandemic: January/March-2020; social distancing: June/2020; post-vaccination: July/2021). Step count was measured using accelerometry (one week). Results: There was a decrease in the number of steps on weekdays and weekends during social distancing (vs. pre-pandemic: β = 1,183 steps/day; p = 0.018; β = 1,947 steps/day; p < 0.001). After vaccination, on weekends, step count remained lower (vs. pre-pandemic: β = 1,152; p = 0.005), although an increase was observed compared to the social distancing period (β = 796; p = 0.027). There was no change in the morning period (p > 0.05). In the afternoon period, a decrease was observed during social distancing (vs. pre pandemic: β = 629 steps/day; p < 0.001), and an increase post-vaccination (vs. social distancing: β = 485 steps/day; p = 0.001). In the evening period, a decrease was observed during social distancing (vs. pre-pandemic: β = 360 steps/day; p = 0.001) and post-vaccination (vs. pre pandemic: β = 310 steps/day; p = 0.002). Conclusion: During the social distancing period, there was a reduction in step count on both weekdays and weekends, concentrated in the afternoon and evening periods. A lower number of steps in the evening was still observed post-vaccination, although increases were noted on weekends and in the afternoon compared to the social distancing period.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Maria Beatriz Fonseca-Araujo , Rodrigo Alberto Vieira Browne, Yuri Alberto Freire, Bruno Erick Barros Lucena, Júlio Sócrates, Eduardo Caldas Costa, Ludmila Lucena Pereira Cabral
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