Stand Up Now: A Sedentary Behavior Intervention in Older Adults of Moderate to Low Physical Function

Objectives: To examine the efficacy of an the intervention Stand Up Now (SUN) to reduce sedentary behavior (SB) and improve physical function and mobility. Methods: SUN included two groups: (a) focused on reducing total SB (SUNSL) and (b) focused on increasing sit-to-stand (STS) transitions (SUNSTS). The participants (N = 71; M-age = 87 +/- 7 years) had 12 weekly health coaching sessions. SB, physical function, and mobility were measured at the baseline, 6, and 12 weeks via the activPAL, Short Physical Performance Battery, and the 8-foot up and go, respectively. Linear mixed models examined the outcome variables over time. Results: Both groups decreased sedentary time (1.3 +/- 0.3 hr, p <.001), increased standing time (0.5 +/- 0.2 hr, p <.02), and improved physical function (1.5 +/- 0.4 points, p <.001) from the baseline to 6 weeks, and they maintained it at 12 weeks. SUNSTS increased STS transitions (5.4 +/- 4.1, p <.001), while SUNSL had no changes (0.5 +/- 3.1, p >.9). There were no changes in mobility for either group (0.5 +/- 1.5 s, p >.05). Discussion: SUN demonstrates the efficacy to improve SB and physical function in older adults.