The level of physical activity decreases progressively with ageing. During hospitalisation, sedentary behaviour is common, with inpatients spending long periods resting in bed, regardless of their primary reason for admission.

Low physical activity during hospitalisation impairs muscle strength and functional performance, which reduces independence. Decreasing sedentary behaviour time as well as maintaining muscular strength and functional performance during hospitalisation can prevent loss of independence after hospital discharge.

Despite knowing all this, many patients still spend much of their hospital admission lying in bed. One-third of hospitalised older adults are kept at rest in bed or with low levels of physical activity for no reason.