Association of Physical Activity History With Physical Function and Mortality in Old Age.
BACKGROUND
We examined whether physical activity in early adulthood, late midlife, and old age as well as cumulative physical activity history are associated with changes in physical functioning and mortality in old age.


METHODS
Data are from participants aged 65 years or older enrolled in the InCHIANTI study who were followed up from 1998-2000 to 2007-2008 (n = 1,149). At baseline, participants recalled their physical activity levels at ages 20-40, 40-60, and in the previous year, and they were categorized as physically inactive, moderately active, and physically active. Physical performance was assessed with the Short Physical Performance Battery and self-reported mobility disability was evaluated at the 3-, 6- and 9-year follow-up. Mortality follow-up was assessed until the end of 2010.


RESULTS
Physical inactivity at baseline was associated with greater decline in Short Physical Performance Battery score (mean 9-year change: -2.72, 95% CI: -3.08, -2.35 vs -0.98, 95% -1.57, -0.39) and greater rate of incident mobility disability (hazard ratio 4.66, 95% CI 1.14-19.07) and mortality (hazard ratio 2.18, 95% CI 1.01-4.70) compared to physically active participants at baseline. Being physically active throughout adulthood was associated with smaller decline in physical performance as well as with lower risk of incident mobility disability and premature death compared with those who had been less active during their adult life.


CONCLUSIONS
Higher cumulative physical activity over the life course was associated with less decline in physical performance and reduced rate of incident mobility disability and mortality in older ages.
Department of Public Health, University of Turku, Finland. School of Health Sciences, University of Tampere, Finland. The Ageing, Disability and Functioning Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland. sari.stenholm@utu.fi.
Sari
S
Stenholm
CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Department of Social Medicine, Maastricht University, The Netherlands.
Annemarie
A
Koster
The Ageing, Disability and Functioning Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland.
Heli
H
Valkeinen
Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle.
Kushang V
KV
Patel
Azienda Sanitaria di Firenze, Florence, Italy.
Stefania
S
Bandinelli
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland, Baltimore.
Jack M
JM
Guralnik
National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland.
Luigi
L
Ferrucci
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D009026:Mortality; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*
Disability; Mortality; Physical activity; Physical performance