Level of physical activity at the age of 65 predicts successful aging seven years later: the PROOF study

Physical activity has a pleiotropic effect and is a significant factor in successful aging. This study aims to quantify the relationship between the physical activity of a 65-year-old cohort and the level of life satisfaction and self-rated health 7 years later.

A total of 988 questionnaires were sent by mail to a representative sample of healthy pensioners. Life satisfaction and health status were estimated on two visual analogical scales in answer to the following questions: (1) How would you estimate your state of health? and (2) Are you generally satisfied with your life? The level of physical activity was estimated using a questionnaire which enabled us to calculate: (1) Daily energy expenditure (DEE), (2) physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE), (3) daily energy expenditure higher than 5 metabolic equivalents (METs) (DEQisa), (4) Activity index (PAEE/DEE), (5) VO(2) peak.

In all, 686 responses were validated. The average age was 72.9 ± 1.2 years old with 59.5% of women (n = 408). Amongst the sample, 98.8% (n = 676) lived in their own homes and 25.2% (n = 172) lived alone. Mean DEE was 10.365 ± 1.964  kJ/24  h, mean PAEE was 4.479 ± 1.170  kJ/24  h, mean activity index was 0.42 ± 0.05, and mean estimated oxygen uptake (VO(2)) peak was 22.5 ± 1.6  mL/min per kg. Activity index and VO(2) peak were the variables most significantly correlated with self-rated health (p = 0.0032 and p = 0.0011, respectively) and life satisfaction (p = 0.0117 and p = 0.0053).

Energy spent in activity and VO(2) peak estimated from DEE, measured at the age of 65, appear to be strong predictors of well-being 7 years later.