How important is current physical fitness for future quality of life? Results from an 8-year longitudinal study on older adults

Alejandro Gómez-Bruton; Olga López-Torres; Alba Gómez-Cabello; Irene Rodríguez-Gomez; Jorge Pérez-Gómez; Raquel Pedrero-Chamizo; Narcís Gusi; I Ara; Jose A Casajús; Marcela Gonzalez-Gross; Germán Vicente-Rodríguez

doi:10.1016/j.exger.2021.111301

How important is current physical fitness for future quality of life? Results from an 8-year longitudinal study on older adults

Exp Gerontol. 2021 Jul 1:149:111301. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2021.111301. Epub 2021 Mar 15.

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physiatry and Nursing, Faculty of Health and Sport Science FCSD, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; GENUD (Growth, Exercise, NUtrition and Development) Research Group, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; Exercise and Health Spanish Research Network (EXERNET), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; Biomedical Research Centre Network in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERobn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: bruton@unizar.es.
² Exercise and Health Spanish Research Network (EXERNET), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; ImFINE Research Group, Department of Health and Human Performance, Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte-INEF, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
³ GENUD (Growth, Exercise, NUtrition and Development) Research Group, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; Exercise and Health Spanish Research Network (EXERNET), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; Biomedical Research Centre Network in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERobn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; Centro Universitario de la Defensa, Zaragoza, Spain.
⁴ GENUD Toledo Research Group, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain; CIBER of Frailty and Healthy Aging (CIBERFES), Madrid, Spain.
⁵ Faculty of Sport Science, University of Extremadura, Av. De Universidad s/n, Caceres 10003, Extremadura, Spain.
⁶ CIBER of Frailty and Healthy Aging (CIBERFES), Madrid, Spain; Instituto Internacional de Investigación e Innovación en Envejecimiento, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres 10003, Spain.
⁷ GENUD (Growth, Exercise, NUtrition and Development) Research Group, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; Exercise and Health Spanish Research Network (EXERNET), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; Biomedical Research Centre Network in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERobn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiatry and Nursing, Universidad de Zaragoza, Huesca, Spain.
⁸ Exercise and Health Spanish Research Network (EXERNET), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; Biomedical Research Centre Network in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERobn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; ImFINE Research Group, Department of Health and Human Performance, Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte-INEF, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
⁹ Department of Physiatry and Nursing, Faculty of Health and Sport Science FCSD, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; GENUD (Growth, Exercise, NUtrition and Development) Research Group, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; Exercise and Health Spanish Research Network (EXERNET), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; Biomedical Research Centre Network in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERobn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain.

PMID: 33737074
DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2021.111301

Abstract

Introduction: A vast amount of research has focused on the effects of physical fitness (PF) on mortality, with little research evaluating the effects of PF on future expected health related quality of life (HRQoL).

Aim: To evaluate how current PF influences future HRQoL measured in a prospective 8-year study in older adults.

Methods: A total of 617 (157 males) older adults (>65y) participated in the study. PF was assessed with the EXERNET battery in 2008-2009 (baseline) and 2016-2017 (follow-up). HRQoL was assessed using the EQ-5D-3L questionnaire in both evaluations. PF tertiles were developed from baseline PF variables: FIT (highest PF values), REGULAR and UNFIT (lowest PF values) taking into account age and sex. Follow-up HRQoL values were compared to sex and age-specific expected values. Logistic regressions were performed to test differences between PF tertiles regarding future expected quality of life. Linear regressions were developed to test whether baseline PF could predict future HRQoL scores.

Results: The FIT group showed higher probabilities of an improved HRQoL when compared to the UNFIT group. All PF variables seemed to be important at some point of the study except upper extremities flexibility. Aerobic endurance was the variable that showed to be significant for most of the HRQoL predictions.

Conclusion: PF influences future HRQoL in older adults who accordingly should try to remain fit to maintain an increased age-adjusted HRQoL.

Keywords: Aging; Cardiorespiratory fitness; Elderly; Muscle strength; Physical activity; Quality of life.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Cross-Sectional Studies
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Physical Fitness*
Prospective Studies
Quality of Life*
Surveys and Questionnaires