BACKGROUND: The positive health effects of physical activity are well known. However, there are few studies of the association between different levels of physical activity and all-cause mortality among elderly people. METHODS: A national random sample of 3206 women and men aged >/=65 were interviewed in 1988 and 1989 and followed until December 31, 2000, for all-cause mortality. Cox regression was used to analyze the association between five different levels of physical activity and all-cause mortality, after adjustment for gender, age, education, smoking habits, body mass index, diabetes, hypertension, and self-rated health. All analyses were conducted in 2003. RESULTS: For elderly people who were physically active occasionally, the risk of all-cause mortality was 28% lower than for those who were physically inactive (hazard ratio [HR]=0.72; confidence interval [CI]=0.64-0.81), after adjustment for all explanatory variables. For those who were physically active once a week, the risk of all-cause mortality was 40% lower than for those who were physically inactive (HR=0.60; CI=0.50-0.71). For those who were physically active more frequently, the reduction in all-cause mortality risk was about the same as for those who were physically active once a week. Diabetes, hypertension, and daily smoking were, as expected, significant risk factors for all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity, even occasionally, decreases the risk of all-cause mortality among elderly people. Preventive resources among the elderly should include moderate exercise such as walking.
BACKGROUND: The positive health effects of physical activity are well known. However, there are few studies of the association between different levels of physical activity and all-cause mortality among elderly people. METHODS: A national random sample of 3206 women and men aged >/=65 were interviewed in 1988 and 1989 and followed until December 31, 2000, for all-cause mortality. Cox regression was used to analyze the association between five different levels of physical activity and all-cause mortality, after adjustment for gender, age, education, smoking habits, body mass index, diabetes, hypertension, and self-rated health. All analyses were conducted in 2003. RESULTS: For elderly people who were physically active occasionally, the risk of all-cause mortality was 28% lower than for those who were physically inactive (hazard ratio [HR]=0.72; confidence interval [CI]=0.64-0.81), after adjustment for all explanatory variables. For those who were physically active once a week, the risk of all-cause mortality was 40% lower than for those who were physically inactive (HR=0.60; CI=0.50-0.71). For those who were physically active more frequently, the reduction in all-cause mortality risk was about the same as for those who were physically active once a week. Diabetes, hypertension, and daily smoking were, as expected, significant risk factors for all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity, even occasionally, decreases the risk of all-cause mortality among elderly people. Preventive resources among the elderly should include moderate exercise such as walking.
Authors: Darren Er Warburton; Sarah Charlesworth; Adam Ivey; Lindsay Nettlefold; Shannon Sd Bredin Journal: Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act Date: 2010-05-11 Impact factor: 6.457
Authors: Elizabeth Vásquez; Karine Sahakyan; John A Batsis; Cassandra Germain; Virend K Somers; Benjamin A Shaw Journal: Ethn Health Date: 2016-11-09 Impact factor: 2.772
Authors: Leslie A Knaub; Sylvia McCune; Adam J Chicco; Matthew Miller; Russell L Moore; Nicholas Birdsey; Monique I Lloyd; Juan Villarreal; Amy C Keller; Peter A Watson; Jane E B Reusch Journal: Diab Vasc Dis Res Date: 2012-11-16 Impact factor: 3.291