Physical Activity Maintains Physical Function In Early Old Age. The Whitehall II Cohort Study

Abstract

Background In the elderly, higher levels of physical function have consistently been associated with higher levels of physical activity. In this study we test the hypothesis that physical activity earlier in the life course preserves high physical function over an extended period of time, before the onset of major age-related declines in physical function. Methods A cohort study with an average of 8.8 years of follow up. Logistic regression analyses were conducted adjusting for longstanding illness, baseline physical function, smoking, body mass index and employment grade. Participants were 6398 London-based civil servants aged 39–63 years at baseline, 90% of whom were working. The main outcome measure was physical function measured by the SF-36 General Health Survey. Results Relatively fit and healthy, mainly working, middle-aged men and women who were physically active at recommended levels, were more likely to report high physical function at follow up, compared to their sedentary counterparts (odds ratio 1.63 (95% confidence interval 1.32 to 2.00)). The association between initial level of physical activity and high physical function at follow up remained after adjustment for baseline level of physical function and the presence of longstanding illness. Conclusions Participation in a physically active lifestyle during mid-life is critical to preserving high physical function in early old age, even in those who are fit and well enough to work and do not report any longstanding illness.