Background
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The relationship between the composition of daily movement behaviors and late-life mobility remains unclear. Prior reviews focus on individual behaviors (moderate to vigorous physical activity, light-intensity physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep) without accounting for the interdependence of daily time use. This systematic review examined associations between daily movement behavior composition and mobility outcomes in adults aged ≥60 years.
Methods
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Ten electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane, and Ageline) were searched on March 2025 and updated on May 2026. Studies were included if participants’ mean age was ≥60 years and used compositional data analysis to examine associations between composition of time spent in movement behaviors and mobility (e.g., gait speed). The unified mobility framework guided syntheses across three facets: actual mobility (daily activities), perceived mobility (self-reported abilities), and locomotor capacity (physical performance tests).
Results
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Twelve studies (nine cross-sectional and three prospective cohort) included 8,663 participants. Two thirds of reported associations (16/24) focused on locomotor capacity. The daily movement behavior composition was associated with perceived mobility and locomotor capacity outcomes. Reallocating time from sedentary behavior to moderate to vigorous physical activity was favorably associated with perceived mobility and locomotor capacity. Reallocating time from light-intensity physical activity to moderate to vigorous physical activity was favorable for perceived mobility. Conversely, reallocating time away from moderate to vigorous physical activity to sedentary behavior or light-intensity physical activity was unfavorably associated with both outcomes. Evidence regarding actual mobility was limited.
Conclusions
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The composition of daily movement behaviors appears important for late-life mobility, particularly locomotor capacity. Larger prospective studies across diverse older populations are needed.
