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Associations between objectively assessed physical activity levels and fitness and self-reported health-related quality of life in community-dwelling older adults

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Abstract

Background

Previous studies investigated the associations between health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and self-reported physical activity (PA) and/or self-reported physical fitness which are not the most reliable methods to assess PA and fitness. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the associations between HRQoL and each of objectively assessed habitual PA and physical fitness.

Methods

Eighty-five community-dwelling older adults (60–83 years) completed assessments for PA (counts/min and steps/day using accelerometers), physical fitness (six-minute walk test [6MWT] and hand-grip strength), and self-reported HRQoL (using the eight subscales of the SF-36). In adjusted logistic regression models, the upper quartile was compared against the lower three quartiles of scores on each HRQoL subscale. Results report the odds ratios that were significant in the adjusted models at P < 0.05.

Results

Individuals with higher PA levels assessed by counts/min were more likely to score higher on physical functioning (PF) subscale (OR = 1.90). Individuals with superior 6MWT performance were more likely to score higher on PF (OR = 1.87), role limitations due to physical problems (RP) (OR = 1.95), and vitality (VT) (OR = 1.79). Individuals with superior hand-grip strength were more likely to score higher on RP (OR = 2.37) and VT (OR = 1.83).

Conclusions

Objectively assessed PA and physical fitness measures were positively associated with physical health HRQoL subscales as reported by community-dwelling older adults.

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Abbreviations

BMI:

Body mass index

BP:

Bodily pain

GH:

General health

HRQoL:

Health-related quality of life

M:

Mean

MH:

Mental health

OR:

Odds ratio

PA:

Physical activity

PF:

Physical functioning

QoL:

Quality of life

RE:

Role limitations due to emotional problems

RP:

Role limitations due to physical problems

SD:

Standard deviation

SF:

Social functioning

SF-36:

Medical outcomes study 36-item short-form health study

VO2max :

Maximum oxygen consumption

VT:

Vitality

6MWT:

Six-minute walk test

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank to the volunteers of this study. Without their selfless contribution, this study would not have been possible. Grants from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (PTDC/DES/108780/2008 and SFRH/BD/33124/2007) supported this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Plácido Costa, 91, 4200-450, Porto, Portugal

    Flávia A. C. Wanderley, Gustavo Silva, Elisa Marques, José Oliveira, Jorge Mota & Joana Carvalho

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  1. Flávia A. C. Wanderley
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  2. Gustavo Silva
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  3. Elisa Marques
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  4. José Oliveira
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  5. Jorge Mota
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  6. Joana Carvalho
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Correspondence to Flávia A. C. Wanderley.

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Wanderley, F.A.C., Silva, G., Marques, E. et al. Associations between objectively assessed physical activity levels and fitness and self-reported health-related quality of life in community-dwelling older adults. Qual Life Res 20, 1371–1378 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-011-9875-x

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