Association between physical activity patterns and quality of life in Japanese adults aged 85 to 89 years: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Associations between physical activity (PA) and quality of life (QOL) are usually studied in people in their 60s and 70s, and little is known about them in older age groups.We evaluated the association between PA and QOL in Japanese adults aged 85-89 years and revealed the PA patterns in this population. Methods This cross-sectional study (n = 914) used baseline data from the Kawasaki Aging and Well-being Project (KAWP), a longitudinal cohort study of older adults aged 85-89 years. QOL was assessed using the EuroQoL 5D-5L (EQ-5D-5L) and the WHO Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5). PA was objectively and subjectively measured using a triaxial accelerometer and modified Zutphen Physical Activity Questionnaire, respectively. Associations were analyzed using multivariable regression analysis. Results The higher PA was significantly associated with a higher EQ-5D-5L index score (coefficient, 0.004; 95%CI, 0.001-0.008). In contrast, no association was observed between PA and the WHO-5 total score (coefficient, 0.103; 95%CI, -0.066-0.271). Calisthenics were the most commonly performed sports or exercises (27.4% of male and 47.6% of female participants). In the subgroup of participants with >median PA, the following sports/exercises were more frequently performed in addition to calisthenics; resistance trainingand others among male participants: stretching/yoga among female participants. Conclusions Our findings suggest that PA is associated with a better health-related QOL; however, no association was observed between PA and psychological well-being in this population. More physically active older adults perform several types of sports and exercises in addition to calisthenics.