Shirley Musich|Shaohung S. Wang|Kevin Hawkins|Chris Greame
The Frequency and Health Benefits of Physical Activity for Older Adults
Optum (United States)|Optum (United States)|Optum (United States)|AARP
benefits physical activity pa older adults demonstrated reduced prevalence common chronic conditions improved mental health decreased cognitive decline reduced mortality rates less understood concerning health impacts lighttomoderate intensity pa purpose study estimate lighttomoderate pa frequency levelslow 02 daysweek intermediate 34 daysweek high 5 daysweekamong aarp medicare supplement insureds identify characteristics estimate association pa levels prevalence selected chronic conditions health care utilization expenditures 2015 surveys sent random sample insureds pa determined survey responses querying selfreported days per week least 30 minutes lighttomoderate pa multivariate regression models adjusting confounding covariates survey nonresponse bias utilized determine characteristics association intermediate high pa levels health outcomes second analysis results stratified age groups 6569 7079 80 years among survey respondents n 17676 233 339 429 engaged low intermediate high pa respectively strongest predictors intermediate high pa included male younger selfreporting better health using fewer prescription drugs less likely diagnosed common chronic conditions depression engaged intermediate high pa overall across age groups significantly lower health care utilization expenditures lower prevalence chronic conditions efforts increase intermediate high levels pa among older adults encouraged