With the growing elder populations, the prevalence of age-related musculoskeletal and neurodegenerative diseases-including Parkinson’s disease and dementia-has been steadily increasing. These degenerative conditions pose significant therapeutic challenges due to their complex pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical heterogeneity. Given these therapeutic constraints, numerous studies emphasized early identification and prevention.
Previous research has suggested that lifestyle factors-such as physical activity, sedentary behavior and sleep-are associated with degenerative diseases and may play a crucial role in prevention. However, most of the studies have several limitations such as small sample size, short follow-up period and limited variables. For example, assessments of physical activity and sleep have often relied on self-reported questionnaires, which are susceptible to recall bias.
Moreover, few studies have comprehensively investigated the relationship between degenerative diseases and the objectively measured lifestyle variables including physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep. UKBiobank (UKB) has over 500,000 participants, and provides extensive data such as basic health related information, plasma, genetics and bioimaging as well as accelerometry data to assess lifestyle objectively.
Using UKB data, our primary aim is to examine the association between accelerometer-measured lifestyle factors-specifically physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep-and degenerative diseases. Our secondary aim is to predict disease progression by integrating multiple variables, including plasma biomarkers, genetic profiles, and brain structures linked to lifestyle patterns. This three-year project will commence upon application approval and will utilize the full range of UKB cohort data. Through the project, we aim to contribute to the development of lifestyle guidelines and prevention strategies for older adults at risk of degenerative diseases.
