The Influence of Exercise, Nutritional Status, and Disease on the Functional Ability to Undertake Activities of Daily Living and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living in Old Taiwanese People

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the influence of changes in exercise status, nutritional status, and a number of comorbidities on functional ability in Taiwanese community-dwelling older adults. Data were obtained from the Taiwan Longitudinal Study of Aging. The results revealed that current exercise and consistent exercise were negatively associated with subsequent 4- and 8-year activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental ADL (IADL) decline (all p < 0.05). The Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA) score was negatively associated with subsequent 8-year IADL decline (all p < 0.05), while the number of diseases was positively associated with subsequent 4- and 8-year IADL decline (all p < 0.05). Current exercise and consistent exercises are beneficial for adults aged ≥65 years to maintain their functional ability in ADL and IADL and to prevent declines in functional ability. Consistency of exercise, MNA score, and the number of chronic diseases are good predictors of IADL decline.