Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 24, 2026

Assessment of Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Patients in an Acute Care Unit
Published on: September 30, 2020
Longitudinal change in physical activity and disability in adults
Randall J Gretebeck1, Kenneth F Ferraro, David R Black
1Department of Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA. r.gretebeck@wayne.edu
Objectives:
To prospectively examine whether physical activity or change in physical activity increases or decreases the risk of disability later in life.
Methods:
Tobit regression models were used to examine the effect of physical activity at baseline and change from baseline on disability 10 and 20 years later in 6913 adults.
Results:
Increasing recreational physical activity was associated with reduced risk of disability whereas reducing recreational physical activity increased the risk of disability after 10 years.
Conclusions:
The analyses reveal a protective effect of sustained physical activity on disability among adults.
Related Concept Videos
Longitudinal Research
Longitudinal Studies
Cognitive Development During Adulthood

