Association of sedentary behavior and physical performance with dysmobility syndrome among middle-aged and older adults: a PoCosteo study

Aging independently increases the risk for chronic functional decline, even in the absence of illness. In this context, dysmobility syndrome (DS) has emerged as a major contributor to disability in middle-aged and older adults. This study aims to assess the prevalence of DS and its associated factors among middle-aged and older adults in Bushehr province, Iran. This cross-sectional analysis utilized data from the Iranian arm of the PoCOsteo project. DS, sedentary behavior, physical performance, and balance were assessed using standardized criteria and validated tests. Associations between DS and related variables were examined using multivariable logistic regression analyses. Among 1999 participants age 50 + mean 62.15 years, 1142 individuals (57.1%) were diagnosed with DS. Higher sedentary time during both workdays (OR: 1.81; 95% CI 1.16–2.81) and holidays (weekend) (OR: 1.64; 95% CI 1.08–2.50) was significantly associated with higher odds of DS. Conversely, better balance performance was associated with lower odds of DS (OR: 0.40; 95% CI 0.27–0.61). Each one-second increase in five-times sit-to-stand was associated with 6% higher odds of DS (OR: 1.06; 95% CI 1.03–1.08). Sedentary behavior and poorer physical performance were significantly associated with higher odds of DS among middle-aged and older adults.