The relation between non-occupational physical activity and years lived with and without disability

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Non-occupational physical activity is a modifiable lifestyle factor.
• Understanding its impact on healthy aging is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effect of non-occupational physical activity on years lived with and without disability between ages 50 and 80.
• To quantify the gains in disability-free life years associated with different physical activity levels.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the GLOBE study and the Longitudinal Study of Aging.
• Constructed multi-state life tables to estimate years lived with and without disability.
• Derived hazard ratios for transitions between disability states, adjusted for confounders.

Main Results:

• Moderate physical activity reduced disability incidence (HR 0.66) and increased recovery (HR 1.95) compared to low activity.
• Moderate activity yielded significant gains in disability-free years (males: 3.1, females: 4.0).
• High physical activity further enhanced disability-free years (males: 4.1, females: 4.7) with similar reductions in years with disability.

Conclusions:

• Promoting physical activity among 50-80-year-olds is fundamental for achieving healthy aging.
• Increased physical activity is associated with a substantial increase in disability-free life expectancy.