How Much Physical Activity Is Needed for 75 Year and Older Adults: Using NHANES Datasets

Abstract

<i>Targets</i>: To examine the amount/level of Physical Activity (PA) needed to generate the most health benefits in noninstitutionalized 75 year and older U.S. resident adults. Intervention description: A total of 598 sample participants aged 75 year and above from National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2006 datasets were included. Actigraph-monitored daily step counts, self-reported PA duration (time spent in weekly PA) and weekly energy expenditure were used to describe PA level/amount. Functional ability was expressed using the total levels of difficulties in doing twenty-one types of daily activities. PRISM Dose-response Curves Stimulation Variable slope model was applied to examine the needed PA level/amount in the population. <i>Mechanisms of action</i>: PA benefits functional health in 75 year and older adults. Older females aged 75- 84 year need at least 150 mins/ 800 kcal energy expenditure per week or 5,800 daily steps to reach the most functional benefits. Older men aged 75-84 year need walk about 5,800 steps/day to achieve higher level of functionality. Older adults aged 85 years and above need to spend about 240 minutes/week on PA to gain health benefits. <i>Outcomes</i>: Older males generally need/engage in more amount of PA compared to their female counterparts. Between 75-84 year old male and female adults, PA intensity is more important/reflective in male for expressing PA amount, while time spent in PA is more meaningful to older females. There is no difference in needed PA amount between different genders in 85 year and older adults.