Aging is associated with higher risks of comorbidity, disability, and reduced activities of daily living, which lowers health-related quality of life (HRQoL). With the rapid increase of the older adult population in the U.S., poor HRQoL in older people has become a significant public health problem. To improve HRQoL in the elderly, physical activity (PA) plays an important role. According to the PA Guidelines for Americans, adults should engage in both aerobic and muscle strengthening activities (MSA). However, previous studies of PA and HRQoL predominantly focus on aerobic activity with limited research on MSA. Prior research also provides mixed results on sex differences. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to 1) examine the associations between meeting PA guidelines and HRQoL among older adults, and 2) investigate if sex moderates the relationship between meeting PA guidelines and HRQoL. Data from 87,495 older adults aged ≥ 65 years who participated in the U.S. 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor System (BRFSS) were analyzed. The BRFSS used phone interviews and validated questionnaires to assess aerobic activity, MSA, and HRQoL. Binomial logistic regression was used to examine the relationships between meeting PA guidelines and HRQoL while adjusting for covariates. Sex * PA was entered in logistic regression models to test the if sex was a moderator in the relationship between meeting PA guidelines and HRQoL after controlling for significant covariates. Participants meeting both guidelines or aerobic activity guideline only had significantly lower odds of reporting all components of poor HRQoL than those who met neither guideline (OR= 0.37-0.58) and those who met MSA only (OR= 0.34 to 0.74). No significant difference was observed in the odds of having poor HRQoL between individuals meeting both guidelines and those achieving aerobic activity guideline only. Compared to those meeting neither guideline, respondents who met MSA only had significantly lower odds of reporting poor general health (OR= 0.87, 95% CI: 0.76-0.99) and poor mental health (OR= 0.79, 95% CI: 0.66-0.93). There was no significant interaction effects of sex and PA on the odds of having poor HRQoL. While achieving both aerobic activity and MSA guidelines is promising in improving HRQoL, aerobic activity contributed to the most benefits. Study results can be used to inform policies, programs and interventions designed to increase HRQoL in older people.
Read
