Objectively Measured Physical Activity Reduces the Risk of Mortality among Brazilian Older Adults

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Use of objectively measured physical activity(PA) in older adults to assess relationship between PA andrisk of all-causes mortality is scarce. This study evaluatedthe associations of PA based on accelerometry and a ques-tionnaire with the risk of mortality among older adultsfrom a city in Southern Brazil.

DESIGN: A cohort study.

SETTING: Urban area of Pelotas, Southern Brazil.

PARTICIPANTS: A representative sample of older adults(≥60 y) from Pelotas, enrolled in 2014.

MEASUREMENTS: Overall physical activity (mg), lightphysical activity (LPA), and moderate to vigorous physicalactivity (MVPA) were estimated by raw accelerometer data.The International Physical Activity Questionnaire estimated lei-sure time and commuting PA. Hazard ratios (excluding deathsin the first 6 mo) stratified by sex were estimated by Coxregression analysis considering adjustment for confounders.RESULTS: From the 1451 older adults interviewed in 2014,145 died (10%) after a follow-up of an average 2.6 years.Men and women in the highest tertile of overall PA had onaverage a 77% and 92% lower risk of mortality than theirless active counterparts (95% confidence interval [CI] =.06-.84 and 95% CI = .01-.65, respectively). The highest ter-tile of LPA was also related to a lower risk of mortality inindividuals of both sexes (74% and 91% lower risk amongmen and women, respectively). MVPA statistically reducedthe risk of mortality only among women (hazard ratio[HR] = .30 and HR = .07 in the second and third tertiles).Self-reported leisure-time PA was statistically associated witha lower risk of mortality only among men. Women in thehighest tertiles of commuting PA showed a lower risk of mor-tality than those in the reference group.

CONCLUSION: Accelerometry-based PA was associatedwith a lower risk of mortality among Brazilian older adults.Older individuals should practice any type of PA.