Background: We determined associations between habitual physical activity and metabolic syndrome in elderly persons.
Methods: Pedometer/accelerometers measured step count and activity intensity on a 24-hour basis in 220 free-living Japanese persons 65-84 years old throughout an entire year. At year end, participants were screened for metabolic syndrome (modified criteria of National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III [NCEP-ATP III]).
Results: Most individuals 65-74 years old who took > 10,000 steps/d and/or spent > 30 min/d of activity > 3 metabolic equivalents (METs) had < or = 2 metabolic syndrome diagnostic markers, as did those 75-84 years old with > 8000 steps/d and/or > 20 min/d at > 3 METs. Multivariate-adjusted logistic regression analyses showed that the risk of metabolic syndrome was 4.3 (1.6-11.7) and 3.3 (1.3-8.8) times greater in the least active quartiles of participants (taking < 4700 steps/d and spending < 9 min/d at > 3 METs, respectively) relative to the most active quartiles (taking > 8500 steps/d and spending > 24 min/d at > 3 METs, respectively).
Conclusions: The metabolic syndrome is less likely in elderly people taking > 8000-10,000 steps/d, and reaching an intensity > 3 METs for > 20-30 min/d, relative to their sedentary peers.