Associations between Physical Activity and Kyphosis and Lumbar Lordosis Abnormalities, Pain, and Quality of Life in Healthy Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Victoria Zaborova; Oxana Zolnikova; Natiya Dzhakhaya; Svetlana Prokhorova; Alexander Izotov; Tatyana Butkova; Vasiliy Pustovoyt; Ksenia Yurku; Dmitry Shestakov; Tatyana Zaytseva; Hassan Shafaei

doi:10.3390/healthcare11192651

Associations between Physical Activity and Kyphosis and Lumbar Lordosis Abnormalities, Pain, and Quality of Life in Healthy Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Healthcare (Basel). 2023 Sep 29;11(19):2651. doi: 10.3390/healthcare11192651.

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Clinical Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119991 Moscow, Russia.
² Biobanking Group, Branch of Institute of Biomedical Chemistry "Scientific and Education Center", 109028 Moscow, Russia.
³ Laboratory of Big Data and Precision Restorative Medicine, State Research Center-Burnasyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center of Federal Medical Biological Agency, 119435 Moscow, Russia.
⁴ Moscow Clinical Scientific Center Named after A. S. Loginov, 111123 Moscow, Russia.
⁵ Institute of Public Health, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia.
⁶ Department of Physical Rehabilitation, Massage and Health-Improving Physical Culture Named after I. M. Sarkizov-Serazini RSUFKSMiT, 105122 Moscow, Russia.

Abstract

Significant evidence suggests that regular physical activity (PA) leads to numerous physical and psychological outcomes in the elderly. This cross-sectional study was designed to further explore this issue by investigating the associations between PA (measured by accelerometer) and kyphosis and lumbar lordosis abnormalities, pain, and quality of life (QoL) in the elderly. In this cross-sectional study, 163 older adults (73 women) over 65 years of age (mean age: 68.70 ± 3.09) from Russia acted as participants. The following instruments were used to measure research variables: ActiGraph wGT3X-BT for measuring PA, spinal-mouse for measuring kyphosis and lumbar lordosis abnormalities, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire for measuring QoL. Pain was measured using two questions. The Independent t-test and a regression analysis were used to analyze data. The results showed that our sample participated on average in 15.8 min of moderate PA (MPA) per day, which is lower than the recommended guidelines. Men were significantly more physically active than women. In addition, MPA was significantly associated with lower kyphosis and lumbar lordosis abnormalities and pain in older adults. Finally, MPA was significantly associated with higher QoL. These findings indicate that PA is a critical concern for the elderly. Accordingly, physical educators and fitness instructors should adopt appropriate strategies to promote an active lifestyle among older adults.

Keywords: elderly; kyphosis and lumbar lordosis abnormalities; pain; physical activity; quality of life.

Grants and funding

This work was financed by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation within the framework of state support for the creation and development of World-Class Research Centers ‘Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare’ No 75-15-2022-305.