Sedentary behaviour and ageing

This chapter focuses on the prevalence and amount of sedentary behaviour in older adults with a range of functional limitations, distinguishing the differences between those who live independently with those who live in residential settings or who are subject to enforced sedentary behaviour, such as those in hospital. The associations of prolonged sedentary behaviour with both physical and mental health are less researched than in adults or children but show a clear pattern of increased mortality, reduced function, frailty, mental health, and longevity. Evidence on interventions to reduce sedentary behaviour show only small effect sizes, have short or no follow up beyond the intervention period and are often in combination with efforts to increase physical activity. Clearly more work in this vulnerable population, especially in those transitioning to frailty, is warranted.