The Longitudinal Association Between Physical Activity and Physical Function in Older Women

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Exercise Physiology
• Biomedical Science

Background:

• Age-related decline in physical function is a significant concern in older adults.
• Physical activity is known to mitigate functional decline, but longitudinal data in active versus inactive older women are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the long-term associations between physical activity levels and physical function in community-dwelling older women.
• To compare changes in physical function over 48 months between active and inactive older women.

Main Methods:

• 238 women (mean age 79.0 ± 5.1 years) were categorized as inactive (n=144) or active (n=94) based on baseline exercise.
• Physical function was assessed using the Timed Up and Go (TUG), 30-s chair stand, and 30-s arm curl tests at baseline and 48 months.
• Repeated measures ANCOVA and chi-square tests were used to analyze differences between groups, controlling for age.

Main Results:

• Active women demonstrated significantly better performance in TUG, 30-s chair stand, and 30-s arm curl compared to inactive women at 48 months.
• A higher proportion of inactive women (58.2%) had abnormal TUG scores (>8.23 s) compared to active women (86.5%) at baseline, with this difference persisting at 48 months.
• No significant group-by-time interactions were observed, indicating consistent differences in physical function between the groups over the study period.

Conclusions:

• Baseline physical activity is associated with higher objectively measured physical function in older women over a 48-month period.
• Engaging in regular exercise is crucial for maintaining physical function and mobility in older women, reducing the likelihood of functional limitations.
• These findings underscore the long-term benefits of exercise for preserving physical function in the aging female population.