Physical activity and quality of life in older adults: an 18-month panel analysis

• Published in: Quality of life research 2013-09, Vol.22 (7), p.1647-1654
• Main Authors: Phillips, Siobhan M., Wójcicki, Thomas R., McAuley, Edward
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living - psychology; Adults; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Cross-Sectional Studies; Disabilities; Exercise; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Health Status; Humans; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mental health; Middle Aged; Modeling; Motor Activity; Older adults; Older people; Physical Fitness; Psychometrics; Public Health; Quality of Life; Quality of Life Research; Questionnaires; Residence Characteristics; Self Efficacy; Self esteem; Socioeconomic Factors; Sociology; Statistical methods; Surveys and Questionnaires; Womens health
• ISSN: 0962-9343; 1573-2649
• DOI: 10.1007/s11136-012-0319-z

Purpose Although physical activity has been associated with quality of life (QOL), the empirical evidence regarding the mechanisms underlying this relationship is limited. In the present study, we examined the mediating roles played by self-efficacy and health status in the physical activity–QOL relationship from baseline to 18-month follow-up in a sample of community-dwelling older adults. Methods Community-dwelling adults (N = 321, M age = 63.8 years) were recruited to participate in a cross-sectional study and were later contacted to participate in an 18-month follow-up. Individuals completed a battery of questionnaires assessing physical activity, self-efficacy, physical self-worth, disability limitations, and quality of life. A panel analysis within a covariance modeling framework was used to analyze the data. Results Overall, the model was a good fit to the data (χ2 = 61.00, df = 29, p < 0.001, standardized root mean residual = 0.05, Comparative Fit Index = 0.97) with changes in physical activity indirectly influencing change in life satisfaction from baseline to 18 months via changes in exercise self-efficacy, physical self-worth, and disability limitations independent of baseline relationships and demographic factors. Specifically, increases in physical activity were associated with increases in exercise self-efficacy which, in turn, was associated with higher physical self-worth and fewer disability limitations which were associated with greater life satisfaction. Conclusions The findings from this study suggest the relationship between physical activity and global QOL in older adults may be mediated by more proximal modifiable outcomes that can be targeted in physical activity programs and interventions.