Five Year Physical Activity Changes Among Older Men In The Mros Study

Abstract

PURPOSE: To describe the change in self-reported physical activity (total, leisure, household, occupational) among men aged 65+ years over a 4-5 year follow-up period, and to identify socio-demographic and health factors that predict change in physical activity among older men. METHODS: This prospective cohort study enrolled ambulatory community dwelling men (n=5995), 65 yrs or older, at 6 US clinical centers. Using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE), the men self-reported the intensity, frequency, and duration of their leisure, paid and volunteer occupational, and household activities over the past 7 days. Only men with PASE data at baseline and visit 2 were analyzed (n=5161). Linear regression models were built to examine the associations between change in total and subscale PASE scores (outcomes) and socio-demographic and health conditions measured at baseline. RESULTS: The analytic cohort was 90% Caucasian, mean age 73.1 + 5.5 yrs, median of 3 health conditions, 3% smoked, and 13% lived alone at baseline. Mean follow-up was 4.5 years. Total, leisure, occupational, and household physical activity scores declined (-19.5 + 68.0, -3.0 + 37.5, -6.3 + 34.1, -10.2 + 44.3, respectively; p<0.01). On average, total PASE scores decreased with age; -16 + 72 for <70, -16 + 67 for 70-74, -21 + 67 for 75-79, and -30 + 61 for 80+ yr olds. Declines in total physical activity were primarily attributed to occupational changes in 65-70 yr olds and household changes in 70+ yr olds. Participants exhibited a greater decline in physical activity if they lived alone (b=-12.9, SD=2.9), smoked cigarettes (b=-8.8, SD=5.6), or reported poor or very poor health (b=-17.3, SD=8.6) at baseline. Change in PASE scores was negatively associated with number of self-reported health conditions (b=-1.9, SE=0.4, p<0.01); a greater decline in PASE change scores was observed for older men with more health conditions. Significant predictors of change in PASE scores after adjusting for baseline PASE scores were living alone, age, smoking, and overall health status (p<0.01 for all). CONCLUSIONS: All domains of physical activity declined with age especially among older men who reported health conditions, lived alone or smoked. Efforts are needed to identify interventions aimed to reverse the negative physical activity trends in older men.