The relation between non-occupational physical activity and years lived with and without disability.
OBJECTIVE
The effects of non-occupational physical activity were assessed on the number of years lived with and without disability between age 50 and 80 years.


METHODS
Using the GLOBE study and the Longitudinal Study of Aging, multi-state life tables were constructed yielding the number of years with and without disability between age 50 and 80 years. To obtain life tables by level of physical activity (low, moderate, high), hazard ratios were derived for different physical activity levels per transition (non-disabled to disabled, non-disabled to death, disabled to non-disabled, disabled to death) adjusted for age, sex and confounders.


RESULTS
Moderate, compared to low non-occupational physical activity reduced incidence of disability (HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.86), increased recovery (HR 1.95, 95% CI 1.32 to 2.87), and represents a gain of disability-free years and a loss of years with disability (male 3.1 and 1.2; female 4.0 and 2.8 years). Performing high levels of non-occupational physical activity further reduced incidence, and showed a higher gain in disability-free years (male 4.1; female 4.7), but a similar reduction in years with disability.


CONCLUSIONS
Among 50-80-year-olds promoting physical activity is a fundamental factor to achieve healthy ageing.
Nusselder
W J
WJ
Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, the Netherlands. w.nusselder@erasmusmc.nl
Looman
C W N
CW
Franco
O H
OH
Peeters
A
A
Slingerland
A S
AS
Mackenbach
J P
JP
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004522:Educational Status; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology