Authors
Tomohito Tadaishi, Hideki Suzuki
Published in
Physical therapy research. Volume 29. Issue 2. Pages 117-124. Epub Apr 28, 2026.
Abstract
Physical activity levels vary seasonally, but the short-term impact of intensity-specific activity changes on older adults' physical function remains unclear. This study aimed to examine seasonal changes in physical activity and their effects on physical function among older adults in a rural, snowy region.
Thirty-nine older adults from Tobetsu-cho, Hokkaido, Japan, were included. Body composition and physical function were assessed during the non-snowfall season (June-September 2023) and 1 year later (June-September 2024). Accelerometers measured step counts and activity levels during both the non-snowfall and snowfall seasons (January-February 2024). Participants were grouped by the extent of change in activity levels (greater-change vs. smaller-change). Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) assessed differences in 1-year changes in physical function.
Repeated-measures 2-way ANOVA showed a significant main effect of season on body fat percentage, appendicular skeletal muscle mass index, grip strength, and walking speed in the light-intensity physical activity (LPA) category. A significant interaction was observed for the Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST). Bonferroni's test revealed a significant worsening of FTSST scores (p <0.01) after 1 year, but only in the group with a greater LPA decline.
A greater decrease in LPA during the snowfall was associated with short-term declines in lower-limb function, as measured by FTSST. Given its link to fall risk and loss of independence, maintaining LPA during snowy seasons may be essential for maintaining lower-limb function in older adults.
PMID:
42819635
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 02 Oct 2026.
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