BACKGROUND: Among older adults, loss of mobility represents a critical stage in the disablement process, whereby the risk for disability is significantly increased. Physical activity is a modifiable risk factor that is associated with reduced risk of losing mobility in older adulthood; however, few studies have examined physical activity performed earlier in life in relation to mobility later in life. METHODS: Data from a population-based study of 1155 adults aged 65 years and older living in the Chianti region of Italy in 1998-2000 were analyzed in 2005 and 2006. Participants retrospectively recalled their physical activity levels in midlife and underwent mobility testing and medical examination. Two objective mobility outcomes were examined as a function of past physical activity: the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and the ability to walk 400 meters. RESULTS: Older Italian adults (mean age 74.8, standard deviation 7.3) who engaged in higher levels of physical activity in midlife were significantly more likely to perform better on the SPPB than individuals who were less physically active in midlife. In addition, failure to complete the 400-meter walk test was significantly less likely among physically active men (Level II) (odds ratio [OR] = 0.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.15-0.93) and very active men (Level III) (OR = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.09-0.63) when compared to men who were less active (Level I) in the past (p for trend, 0.008). These associations remained after adjustment for demographic factors, medical conditions, and physiologic impairments. CONCLUSIONS: Older adults who reported higher levels of physical activity in midlife had better mobility in old age than less physically active ones.
BACKGROUND: Among older adults, loss of mobility represents a critical stage in the disablement process, whereby the risk for disability is significantly increased. Physical activity is a modifiable risk factor that is associated with reduced risk of losing mobility in older adulthood; however, few studies have examined physical activity performed earlier in life in relation to mobility later in life. METHODS: Data from a population-based study of 1155 adults aged 65 years and older living in the Chianti region of Italy in 1998-2000 were analyzed in 2005 and 2006. Participants retrospectively recalled their physical activity levels in midlife and underwent mobility testing and medical examination. Two objective mobility outcomes were examined as a function of past physical activity: the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and the ability to walk 400 meters. RESULTS: Older Italian adults (mean age 74.8, standard deviation 7.3) who engaged in higher levels of physical activity in midlife were significantly more likely to perform better on the SPPB than individuals who were less physically active in midlife. In addition, failure to complete the 400-meter walk test was significantly less likely among physically active men (Level II) (odds ratio [OR] = 0.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.15-0.93) and very active men (Level III) (OR = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.09-0.63) when compared to men who were less active (Level I) in the past (p for trend, 0.008). These associations remained after adjustment for demographic factors, medical conditions, and physiologic impairments. CONCLUSIONS: Older adults who reported higher levels of physical activity in midlife had better mobility in old age than less physically active ones.
Authors: Edward W Gregg; Jane A Cauley; Katie Stone; Theodore J Thompson; Douglas C Bauer; Steven R Cummings; Kristine E Ensrud Journal: JAMA Date: 2003-05-14 Impact factor: 56.272
Authors: Yves M Rolland; Matteo Cesari; Michael E Miller; Brenda W Penninx; Hal H Atkinson; Marco Pahor Journal: J Am Geriatr Soc Date: 2004-06 Impact factor: 5.562
Authors: Stefano Volpato; Giovanni B Vigna; Mary M McDermott; Margherita Cavalieri; Cinzia Maraldi; Fulvio Lauretani; Stefania Bandinelli; Giovanni Zuliani; Jack M Guralnik; Renato Fellin; Luigi Ferrucci Journal: Am J Cardiol Date: 2010-04-27 Impact factor: 2.778
Authors: Kate Birnie; Yoav Ben-Shlomo; David Gunnell; Shah Ebrahim; Antony Bayer; John Gallacher; Jeff M P Holly; Richard M Martin Journal: Age Ageing Date: 2012-04-26 Impact factor: 10.668
Authors: Sari Stenholm; Annemarie Koster; Heli Valkeinen; Kushang V Patel; Stefania Bandinelli; Jack M Guralnik; Luigi Ferrucci Journal: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci Date: 2015-08-18 Impact factor: 6.053
Authors: Mary M McDermott; Jack M Guralnik; Lu Tian; Luigi Ferrucci; Kiang Liu; Yihua Liao; Michael H Criqui Journal: J Am Coll Cardiol Date: 2007-08-20 Impact factor: 24.094
Authors: Sonja Vestergaard; Susan G Nayfield; Kushang V Patel; Basil Eldadah; Matteo Cesari; Luigi Ferrucci; Graziano Ceresini; Jack M Guralnik Journal: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci Date: 2009-01-27 Impact factor: 6.053
Authors: Mary M McDermott; Jack M Guralnik; Lu Tian; Kiang Liu; Luigi Ferrucci; Yihua Liao; Leena Sharma; Michael H Criqui Journal: J Am Coll Cardiol Date: 2009-03-24 Impact factor: 24.094