Geriatric inpatients undergoing rehabilitation often face a double-edged sword: high levels of sedentary behavior (SB) and insufficient physical activity (PA). Recent research has sought to unravel the link between a patient's biological age—determined by blood biomarkers—and their activity levels during rehabilitation. Biological age, a concept capturing the physiological state of an individual's body as opposed to their chronological age, has been shown to forecast various health outcomes. The study leverages the innovative SenoClock-BloodAge tool to predict biological age, aiming to understand its association with patients' engagement in physical and sedentary activities during their recovery period.

Conducted at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, the study observed 111 geriatric inpatients, utilizing inertial sensors to accurately measure their activity. The findings reveal a clear correlation: a higher biological age is associated with increased sedentary behavior, specifically time spent non-upright, and indicates a trend towards reduced physical activity, measured through stepping time and sit-to-stand transitions. This insight opens new pathways for personalized rehabilitation strategies, suggesting that understanding a patient's biological age could help tailor more effective recovery plans, potentially reducing sedentary behavior and encouraging physical activity.

This research underscores the significance of biological age as a factor in rehabilitation success. By incorporating biological age into patient assessments, healthcare professionals can allocate resources more efficiently and devise rehabilitation plans that cater to the unique needs of each individual. Such personalized approaches could not only enhance patient outcomes but also advance the field of geriatric care, highlighting the pivotal role of geroscience in shaping future healthcare practices.