Associations of physical activity type, volume, intensity, and changes over time with all‐cause mortality in older adults: The Seniors‐ENRICA cohorts

Objective To assess the association of physical activity (PA) type, volume, intensity, and changes over time with all‐cause mortality in older adults. Methods We used data from 3518 and 3273 older adults recruited in the Seniors‐ENRICA‐1 and 2 cohorts. PA was assessed with the EPIC questionnaire. Participants reported how many hours they spent a week in walking, cycling, gardening, do‐it‐yourself (DIY), sports, and housework. Then, time at each intensity (moderate PA [MPA], vigorous PA [VPA], moderate‐to‐vigorous PA [MVPA] and total PA) was calculated. Changes in PA were calculated from the date of the baseline interview to Wave 1. All‐cause mortality was ascertained up January 31, 2022. Analyses were performed with Cox regression models, adjusting for the main confounders. Results Walking, gardening, sports, and housework was associated with lower mortality (ranged 20%–46%). Also, MPA, VPA, MVPA was associated with lower risk of mortality (ranged 28%–53%). Analyses of PA change showed that, compared no PA participation (at baseline nor Wave 1), maintain walking, sports, and housework (ranged 28%–53%) and maintaining MPA, VPA, and MVPA (ranged 32%–36%) levels was linked to decreased mortality risk. Those who increased, maintained, or even decreased total PA had lower mortality (57%, 52%, and 36%, respectively) than those with consistently very low PA. Conclusions The lower mortality was observed in those with a high baseline level of total PA. Maintaining PA levels such as walking, gardening, and housework, or at all analyzed intensities, was related to lower mortality.