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Final Program


Final Program

859 - Physical Activity in Older Adults and the Ability to Complete Self-Care

Thursday, February 27, 2025
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM MST

    Presenting Author(s)

  • EA

    Eva M. Amram, BA

    Medical Student
    Florida International University
    Miami, Florida, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • NB

    Noël C. Barengo, MD, Ph.D, MPH

    Associate Professor
    Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
    Miami, Florida, United States

  • GC

    Grettel Castro, MPH

    Research Analyst
    Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
    Miami, Florida, United States

  • FF

    Francisco Fajardo, PhD, M.L.I.S,, MPA, MA

    Assistant Director Medical Library
    Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
    Miami, Florida, United States

  • EV

    Edgar Vieira, PhD, MSc, BSc

    Interim Associate Dean of Research and Faculty Development
    Florida International University Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences
    Miami, Florida, United States

  • GV

    Georgetta Vaidean, MD, PhD, MPH

    Associate Professor
    Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
    Miami, Florida, United States

Objectives: Aging leads to functional decline. Basic activities of daily living (BADLs) are essential to functional independence. Previous studies have shown that physical activity in older adults can positively impact BADL ability. However, there is insufficient research whether adhering to the physical activity guidelines (PAGs) may improve BADL performance. The objective of this study was to investigate whether there is an association between meeting PAGs and functional independence in older American adults.

Design:

An analytical cross-sectional study was completed using data from the National Health Interview Survey from 2022. Participants were adults aged 65 and older (n=8,352). Participants with missing data in primary variables or who could not complete BADLs were excluded. The primary exposure was whether participants met PAGs. The main outcome was difficulty completing BADLs. Covariates included race, ethnicity, sex, socioeconomic status, age, comorbidity burden, cognitive, visual, and hearing impairments, BMI, ability to ambulate, and using equipment to walk. Unadjusted and adjusted logistical regression analysis were performed to calculate odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results:

Participants who met neither PAG criteria constituted 54.3% (n=4,534) of the sample, those who met strength were 6.9% (n=572), those who met aerobic were 23.6% (n=1,974), and those who met both were 15.2% (n=1,272). The ability to walk was an effect modifier. In the stratified adjusted model, meeting PAGs was only associated with BADL in participants with a lot of difficulty walking, revealing decreased odds of BADL difficulty in those who met aerobic criteria [OR 0.40; 95% CI 0.19-0.86] and increased odds in those who met the strength recommendations only [OR 2.33; 95% CI 1.24-4.36].

Conclusions:

Our data did not support a consistent association between PAG adherence and ability to complete BADLs in older adults. Future cohort studies may investigate further PAG and functional independence in older adults.