Association of Objectively Measured Physical Activity with Physical Function in Patients with Sarcopenia during Hospitalized Rehabilitation

This study aimed to investigate the association between objectively measured physical activity and functional improvement in hospitalized patients with sarcopenia. In this retrospective cohort study, physical activity (light-intensity physical activity [LIPA]; moderate-to-physical activity [MVPA]) was measured using a triaxial accelerometer in patients with sarcopenia undergoing rehabilitation on hospital admission. The primary outcome was physical function measured with the SPPB and activity of daily living (ADL) measured with the functional independence measure scores for motor function (FIM-M) at hospital discharge. Multiple regression analysis was per-formed to investigate the relationship between the objectively measured physical activity and functional outcomes. A total of 182 patients with sarcopenia (aged 81; interquartile range (IQR) 13 years) were included in this study. In the multiple regression analysis, LIPA was associated with the SPPB score at discharge (β = 0.180, p = 0.015) but not with FIM-M at discharge. MVPA was not associated with SPPB or FIM-M scores at discharge. In conclusion, LIPA on admission is independently associated with physical function, but not ADL, in patients with sarcopenia undergoing hospitalized rehabilitation.