A Study on Daily Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Patterns among Senior Regular Short Tennis Players : A Latent Class Analysis Approach

Abstract

Purpose: Using a latent class analysis (LCA), this study identified unique segments based on physical activities (PA) and sedentary behaviors (SB) among senior adults with regular exercise habits.
Methods: Self-administrated questionnaires were conducted in 2013 on a nationwide study sample of 911 adults over the age of 50 who regularly participated in short tennis (ST) activities. In the LCA model, six physical activities including ST and one sedentary behavior were used as manifest variables, as well as fitness level measured via subjective walking speed as a covariate. Attributes and Physical Activity Index etc. were examined using chi-square test.
Results: Fitness level as a covariate was closely related to the results, and four distinct segments emerged (valid respondents : 643) : “RECREATION oriented” type (latent class prevalence : 55%), “WORK oriented” type (20%), “INACTIVE” type (16%), and “ACTIVE” type (9%). Both INACTIVE and WORK were characterized by fewer exercise habits, as well as fewer participants engaging in vigorous PA. INACTIVE was characterized by fewer participants across all the PA domains, as well as longer time in SB, and the amount of PA would have been insufficient without ST. Those in WORK maintained PA by moderate PA during work and ST. Both RECREATION and ACTIVE were characterized by better exercise habits, as well as shorter time in ST but more participants engaging in moderate PA during recreation. ACTIVE was characterized by more participants across all the PA domains.
Conclusions: Multiple subgroups, exhibiting different participation patterns in PA and SB as well as ST, exist among senior ST players. The ratio above PA recommendation, share of ST in the total amount of PA, age, and occupational status were significantly different among these subgroups. Past exercise habits were closely related to different participation patterns, rather than the duration of ST participation.