Risk due to inactivity in physically capable older adults

E.M. Simonsick, M.E. Lafferty, C.L. Phillips, C.F. Mendes de Leon, S.V. Kasl, T.E. Seeman, G. Fillenbaum, P. Hebert and J.H. Lemke

American Journal of Public Health, 1993, vol. 83, issue 10, 1443-1450

Abstract: Objectives. This study examined the association between recreational physical activity among physically capable older adults and functional status, incidence of selected chronic conditions, and mortality over 3 and 6 years. Methods. Data are from three sites of the Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly. Results. A high level of recreational physical activity reduced the likelihood of mortality over both 3 and 6 years. Moderate to high activity reduced the risk of physical impairments over 3 years: this effect diminishes after 6 years. A consistent relationship between activity and new myocardial infarction or stroke or the incidence of diabetes or angina was not found after 3 or 6 years. Conclusions. Findings suggest that physical activity offers benefits to physically capable older adults, primarily in reducing the risk of functional decline and mortality. Future work must use more objective and quantifiable measures of activity and assess changes in activity levels over time.

Date: 1993
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

There are no downloads for this item, see the EconPapers FAQ for hints about obtaining it.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1993:83:10:1443-1450_3

Access Statistics for this article

American Journal of Public Health is currently edited by Alfredo Morabia

More articles in American Journal of Public Health from American Public Health Association
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Christopher F Baum ().