A new study found that regular patterns of activity are important for healthy ageing and mental health.
The research, published online in JAMA Psychiatry, recruited 1,800 senior American citizens aged over 65 who wore accelerometers – movement-detecting devices often found in smartphones and exercise trackers.
Participants wore the devices on their wrists for seven days to measure activity levels while completing questionnaires to assess depression symptoms and cognitive function.
The study found that groups that were less active, had more depression symptoms and poorer cognition than the ones who were more active.
Stephen Smagula, lead author of the study, said: “Many older adults had robust patterns: they get up before 7am on average, and they keep going; they stay active for 15 hours or so each day. They also tend to follow the same pattern day in, day out.
These adults were happier, less depressed and had better cognitive function than other participants.”
According to Smagula, the relationship between mental health and activity patterns likely goes both ways: depression and cognitive impairment can make it harder to follow a consistent routine, and conversely, having a disrupted activity rhythm may worsen these symptoms.
“Our findings suggest that activity pattern disruption is very common and associated with health problems in older adults,” explained Smagula. “The relationship is likely bi-directional, so the good new is we think that simple changes – things everyone can try – can restore regular activity patterns and doing so may improve health.”