Summary: Researchers found a correlation between physical activity in adults over sixty years and quality of life. The study involving nearly 1,500 participants revealed that reduced physical activity and increased sedentary behavior lead to decreased quality of life.
This research underscores the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle into older adulthood. Regular moderate to vigorous physical activity can reduce the risk of some health complications and can improve overall well-being.
Key Facts:
- Participants who were more physically active and spent less time in sedentary activities at the start had a higher quality of life in later years.
- Decreases in physical activity and increases in sedentary behavior over six years were associated with poorer quality of life scores.
- This study demonstrates a causal link between staying physically active and improving quality of life, with physical activity contributing to reduced pain, increased muscle strength, and better mental health.
Source: University of Cambridge
Reducing the amount of time spent physically active when adults are over sixty is linked to lower quality of life, a Cambridge study of nearly 1,500 adults showed.
The same goes for increasing the amount of sitting time, such as watching TV or reading. Researchers say this highlights the need to encourage older adults to stay active.
Physical activity – especially moderate intensity and getting your heart rate up – is known to reduce the risk of a number of diseases, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The NHS recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity a week.
Older adults are also advised to break up long periods of sitting with light activity whenever physically possible, or at least standing, as this has distinct health benefits for older people.
A team led by researchers at the University of Cambridge examined activity levels among 1,433 participants aged 60 and over using accelerometers. Participants were recruited for the EPIC (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer)-Norfolk study.
Alongside this, the team also looked at health-related quality of life, a measure of health and well-being that includes pain, self-care ability, and anxiety/mood. Participants were given a score between 0 (worst quality of life) and 1 (best) based on their responses to the questionnaire.
Lower quality of life scores are associated with an increased risk of hospitalization, worse outcomes after hospitalization, and premature death.
Participants were followed up an average of less than six years later to see changes in their behavior and quality of life.
The research results are published in Health Outcomes and Quality of Life.
On average, six years after their first assessment, both men and women engaged in about 24 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day.
At the same time, total sitting time increased by an average of about 33 minutes a day for men and about 38 minutes a day for women.
People who engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity and spend less time sitting at their first assessment have a higher quality of life later in life. One hour a day spent more active was associated with a 0.02 higher quality of life score.
For every minute a day less of moderate to vigorous physical activity measured six years after the first assessment, the quality of life score decreased by 0.03. This means that someone who spent 15 minutes a day less engaged in such activities would see their score drop by 0.45.
Increased sedentary behavior was also associated with poorer quality of life – a decrease in score of 0.012 for each minute per person per day increased total sedentary time six years after the first measurement.
This means that someone who spends 15 minutes a day more sitting will experience a decrease in score of 0.18.
To put the results into clinical context, a 0.1 point increase in quality of life score has previously been associated with a 6.9% reduction in early death and a 4.2% reduction in the risk of hospitalization.
Dr Dharani Yerrakalva from the Department of Public Health and Primary Care at the University of Cambridge said: “Keeping yourself active and limiting – and where you can, breaking up – the amount of time you spend sitting is very important, whatever stage of life you are. is on.
“This appears to be especially important later in life, when it can lead to potentially significant improvements to your quality of life and physical and mental well-being.”
Because the team measured physical activity and sedentary behavior at different points in time, they said they were fairly confident they had demonstrated a causal relationship – that is, quality of life improved. Because people remain more physically active, for example.
Dr Yerrakalva added: “There are several ways in which improving our physical behavior can help maintain a better quality of life.
“For example, more physical activity reduces pain in common conditions like osteoarthritis, and we know that being more physically active increases muscle strength which allows older adults to continue to care for themselves.
Similarly, depression and anxiety are related to quality of life, and can be improved by being more active and sedentary.
The EPIC-Norfolk study was funded by the Medical Research Council and Cancer Research UK.
Five ways to stay physically active in old age
- Take a brisk walk every day – ideally about 20 minutes
- Gardening
- Riding a bicycle
- Dance
- Tennis
About this aging research and exercise news
Author: Craig Brierley
Source: University of Cambridge
Contact: Craig Brierley – University of Cambridge
Picture: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: Open access.
“Relationship between changes in physical activity and sedentary time and health-related QoL in older British adults: the EPIC-Norfolk cohort study” by Dharani Yerrakalva et al. Health Outcomes and Quality of Life
Abstract
Association between changes in physical activity and sedentary time and health-related QoL in older British adults: the EPIC-Norfolk cohort study
Background
No previous studies have investigated the relationship between objectively measured changes in physical behavior and QoL at follow-up in older adults. Based on cross-sectional evidence, it is biologically plausible that such an association exists. If so, this supports the case for assigning activity interventions and for including QoL as outcomes in trials of those interventions.
Method
We assessed physical behavior (total physical activity, moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), light physical activity, total sitting time, and prolonged rest periods) over 7 days using a hip-worn accelerometer at baseline (2006–2011) and follow-up. (2012–2016) and health-related quality of life (QoL) using the EQ-5D questionnaire at follow-up in 1433 participants (≥ 60 years) from the EPIC (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer)-Norfolk study. An EQ-5D summary score was used, with 0 being the worst to 1 being the best perceived quality of life. We evaluated prospective associations between baseline physical behavior and continued QoL, and behavior change and continued QoL using tiered regression.
Results
On average, MVPA decreased by 4.0 min/day/year (SD 8.3) for men and 4.0 min/day/year for women (SD 12.0) between baseline and follow-up. Total length of stay increased by an average of 5.5 minutes/day/year (SD 16.0) for men and 6.4 minutes/day/year (SD 15.0) for women between baseline and follow-up. The mean follow-up time (SD) was 5.8 (1.8) years.
We found that a higher baseline MVPA and lower settling time was associated with a higher subsequent QoL (e.g. a greater initial 1 h/day MVPA was associated with a 0.02 higher EQ-5D score, 95% CI 0.06). , 0.36). A more marked decrease in activity was associated with a worse Hr-QoL (0.005 (95% CI 0.003, 0.008) lower EQ-5D per minute/day/year decrease in MVPA). Increased sedentary behavior was also associated with poorer QoL (0.002 lower EQ-5D, 95% CI -0.003, -0.0007 per hour/day/year increase in total sedentary time).
Conclusion
Promotion of physical activity and sedentary time restriction among older adults may improve quality of life, and therefore these relationships should be included in future cost-effectiveness analyzes so that commissions of larger activity interventions can be considered.
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