Strengthening exercises associated with lower all-cause mortality in older adults
The risk of all-cause mortality was lower in adults ages 65 years and older who engaged in two to six strengthening episodes per week, according to a new analysis that adjusted for frequency of moderate or vigorous aerobic exercise.
Leisure time muscle-strengthening activities and moderate to vigorous aerobic physical activity were independently associated with lower all-cause mortality in a cohort study of adults ages 65 years and older.
Researchers explored the dose-response association between muscle-strengthening activities and all-cause mortality in older adults, independent of and combined with aerobic activity of moderate or vigorous intensity. The cohort study assessed self-reported leisure time physical activity among participants in the National Health Interview Survey in 1998 to 2018 and linked these to National Death Index mortality files. Researchers calculated weekly moderate to vigorous aerobic activity as the sum of moderate minutes plus doubled vigorous minutes and categorized the result into four groups (<10, 10 to 149, 150 to 300, and >300 minutes). They also defined four levels of muscle-strengthening activity by weekly episodes (0 to 1, 2 to 3, 4 to 6, and 7 to 28). Results were published Oct. 17 by JAMA Network Open.
During a mean follow-up of nearly eight years, 44,794 of 115,489 participants died. No interaction was evident between strengthening and aerobic activity categories. Adjusting for aerobic activity, two to three and four to six strengthening episodes per week (but not seven to 28 episodes per week) were associated with a lower hazard of all-cause mortality, compared with fewer than two episodes. Adjusting for strengthening activity, 10 to 149, 150 to 300, and more than 300 aerobic minutes per week were associated with a lower hazard of all-cause mortality compared to less than 10 minutes per week.
The study authors noted the possibility of unmeasured confounding and biases associated with self-reported physical activity data. Still, the study shows the benefit of both strengthening and aerobic activity for older adults of any age, they said.
“By using finer age and physical activity categories, a larger sample, and longer follow-up, we build on earlier studies and offer new insights for older adults and their health care professionals,” authors wrote. “First, the U-shaped dose-response between [muscle-strengthening activity] and mortality, independent of aerobic physical activity, suggests that 2 to 6 episodes per week may be optimal. Second, the age-stratified associations indicate that current physical activity guidelines are important for all older adults, including those aged 85 years or older.”