Expert: Too much time spent alone and in bed

University of Strathclyde lecturer Dr Alexandra Mavroeidi, who specialises in the effects physical activity has on health, said studies showed hospital patients can spend up to 90% of their day sitting or lying, mostly alone.

Studies show this can have a major effect on the longterm mobility of geriatric and orthopaedic patients and, once discharged, their sedentary behaviour persists even though they have “recovered”.

Dr Mavroeidi, below, said: “We know that for every 10 days of bed rest, the equivalent of 10 years of muscle ageing occurs in people over 80-years old.

“One week of bed rest equates to a 10% loss in strength, and for an older person who is at threshold strength for climbing the stairs at home, or getting out of bed standing up, such loss of strength may make the difference between dependence and independence.”

She said often staff in busy major hospitals may not have the time to persist with ensuring patients mobilise as often as possible, it may seem quicker for a wheelchair to be used.

Dr Mavroeidi said: “Unfortunately, it is undeniable that traditional care in hospital tends to limit movement and encourage sedentary behaviour, perhaps as a result of concerns about falls on the ward, and that this impacts on behaviour and health after discharge.

“We need to identify and change the practices, processes and systems that condition sedentary behaviour during hospitalisation.

“Staff may be concerned about falls risk and feel it is safer, or quicker, to move the patient by wheelchair or to bring a commode over, rather than mobilise the patient to the toilet.

“Organisational risk aversion often takes precedence over function-focused rehabilitation, mobility and promoting physical activity.

“The idea that health behaviour rests solely on the individual is highly prevalent in a medical model of health care, but evidence clearly points to system-based interventions being more effective.”