The Role of Age in Moderating the Association between Disability and Light-Intensity Physical Activity. Issue 3 (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Prizer, Lindsay P.; Gay, Jennifer L.; Gerst-Emerson, Kerstin; Froehlich-Grobe, Katherine
• Is Part Of: American journal of health promotion. Volume 30, Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: e101
• Page End: e109
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: Physical Activity -- Disability -- Age -- Light-Intensity Activity -- Health Promotion -- Prevention Research -- Manuscript format: research -- Research purpose: modeling/relationship testing -- Study design: nonexperimental -- Outcome measure: behavioral -- Setting: state/national -- Health focus: fitness/physical activity -- Strategy: behavior change -- Target population age: adults, seniors -- Target population circumstances: race/ethnicity; Health promotion -- Periodicals; Health Promotion; Health promotion; Periodicals; Periodicals; 613.05
• DOI: 10.4278/ajhp.140225-QUAN-85
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0890-1171

Abstract

Purpose: There's a lack of evidence on the association between light-intensity physical activity and disability. This study examines the relationships in activity by self-reported physical function in five domains (i.e., activities of daily living [ADL], instrumental ADL, leisure activities, lower extremity, and general activities), and whether this association varies by age. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–2004 and 2005–2006 waves. Subjects: Participants included 5700 men and women ages 20 to 85 years. Measures: Difficulty with various activities was measured with the Physical Functioning Questionnaire, accelerometer-measured physical activity, demographics, and self-rated health. Analysis: Ordinary least squares regression models were run to examine the relationship between physical function in each domain, light-intensity activity, and the moderating effect of age. Analyses controlled for body mass index, moderate-to-vigorous–intensity activity, self-reported health, accelerometer wear time, and gender. Results: Little variation was seen in light-intensity physical activity among younger adults regardless of disability status. Older adults reporting difficulty with activities engaged in significantly less light-intensity physical activity compared to those with no disability (271.8 vs. 316.5 minutes). Age significantly moderated the association between light-intensity physical activity and leisure activities (p = .048), and lower extremity mobility (p = .039). Age did not moderate other domains of disability. Conclusion: Younger age may be protective regarding the influence of disability on light-intensity activity. In addition, disability may be more debilitating for some older individuals. Interventions to increase light-intensity activity should aim to address disability at all ages, with increased attention for older adults.