Distinct physical activity and sedentary behavior trajectories in older adults during participation in a physical activity intervention: a latent class growth analysis

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify latent moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behavior (SB) trajectories in older adults participating in a randomized intervention trial and to explore associations with baseline social-cognitive predictors. METHODS: Data were assessed at baseline (T0, participants were inactive or had recently become active), after a ten-week physical activity intervention (T1), and a second 24-week intervention phase (T2). Latent class growth analysis was used on accelerometer-assessed weekly MVPA and daily SB, respectively (n = 215 eligible participants). Activity changes within trajectory classes and baseline social-cognitive predictor differences between trajectory classes were analyzed. RESULTS: A “stable insufficient MVPA” (n = 197, p for difference in MVPA level at T0 and T2 (p(T0-T2)) = .789, effect size (Cohen’s d) = .03) and a “stable high MVPA” trajectory (n = 18, p(T0-T2) = .137, d = .39), as well as a “slightly decreasing high SB” (n = 63, p for difference in SB (p(T0-T2)) = .022, d = .36) and a “slightly increasing moderate SB” trajectory (n = 152, p(T0-T2) = .019, d = .27) emerged. Belonging to the “stable high MVPA” trajectory was associated with higher action planning levels compared to the “stable insufficient MVPA” trajectory (M = 5.46 versus 4.40, d = .50). Belonging to the “decreasing high SB” trajectory was associated with higher action self-efficacy levels compared to the “increasing moderate SB” trajectory (M = 5.27 versus 4.72, d = .33). CONCLUSIONS: Change occurred heterogeneously in latent (not directly observed) subgroups, with significant positive trajectories only observed in the highly sedentary. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Registry of Clinical Trials, DRKS00016073, Registered 10 January 2019. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s11556-021-00281-x.