Activities of daily living and non-exercise physical activity in older adults: findings from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey

ObjectivesStudies have shown that good cognitive function can moderate the relationship between non-exercise physical activity (NEPA) and activities of daily living (ADLs) disability to some extent, and this study mainly explores the relationship between ADL and NEPA and cognitive function in Chinese older adults.Setting and participantsData came from a nationally representative sample of 2471 Chinese old adults (aged 65+) from the 2011, 2014 and 2018 waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey.Primary and secondary outcome measuresA cross-lagged panel model combined with mediation analysis was used to determine the relationship between ADL and NEPA and the mediating effect of cognitive function on the ascertained ADL–NEPA relationship.ResultsThe more frequently people over the age of 65 in China participate in NEPA, the lower the risk of ADL disability. Cognitive function partially mediated this expected relationship, accounting for 9.09% of the total NEPA effect on ADL.ConclusionParticipating in more NEPA could reduce the risk of ADL disability, and participating in NEPA may reduce the risk of ADL disability through cognitive function to some extent.