ObjectiveTo analyse the association between different domains of physical activity (PA) and health-related domains of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in older adults, independent of confounding variables.DesignCross-sectional study.ParticipantsIn total, 400 individuals 60 years or above were randomly selected to participate in the study.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPA was assessed by a questionnaire in three different domains (work/occupational, sports/gym and leisure time) and total PA. The 36-Item Short Form Health Survey was used to evaluate HRQoL. The variables socioeconomic condition, marital status and presence of health professional-diagnosed comorbidities were self-reported.ResultsThe mean age of the sample was 71.5 (±8.4) years, of whom 58% (n=232) were female. Male older adults showed higher scores of PA in sports, leisure time and in total PA than female adults. Older adults who were more physically active in the work/occupational domain were associated with better scores in functional capacity (OR=1.73, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.93) and general health perception (OR=1.61, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.56). Those who presented a higher score in the sports/gym domain had better scores in functional capacity, even after adjustment for comorbidities (OR=1.72, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.96). Individuals with higher activity in leisure time were more likely to have better scores in functional capacity (OR=1.75, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.98), body pain (OR=1.74, 95% CI 1.09 to 2.78) and mental health (OR=1.67, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.69). Older adults who were more active in total PA were 77% more likely to have better scores in functional capacity (OR=1.77, 95% CI 1.04 to 3.02).ConclusionPhysically active older adults in the different domains of PA presented better HRQoL parameters, reinforcing the importance of studies analysing PA in different contexts and in countries with low and medium socioeconomic conditions.

Background It is estimated that, worldwide, 9% of deaths occur as a result of insufficient physical activity (PA) practice. Practicing PA can prevent and/or reduce the deleterious effects of different types of diseases and can improve general health aspects related to health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Purpose To analyze the relationship of different PA domains with different HRQoL domains over a two-year period. Methods This is an observational study with a two-year longitudinal design. The sample, composed of adults, was selected from a randomization of the streets of the different regions (north, south, east, west and center) covering individuals from all areas of the city. To assess the practice of PA, the Baecke questionnaire was used. The instrument Medical Outcomes Study SF-36-Item Short Form Health Survey was used to assess the HRQoL domains. Linear regression models were used to analyzed the association of different PA domains with changes in HRQoL. Multivariate statistical models were adjusted for gender, age, socioeconomic status, marital status, the respective PA score at baseline, smoking, body mass index, and morbidity. Results 331 adults were evaluated. There was a decrease in the practice of PA in the occupational domain and an increase in the leisure/locomotion domain. Regarding HRQoL, there was an increase in the scores of body pain and mental health, and a decrease in scores of general health, vitality, social aspects and emotional aspects. The PA practice in the occupational domain was inversely related to functional capacity (β = − 7.2 [CI 95% − 13.0; − 1.4]). The practice of PA through sports in leisure time was positively associated with vitality (β = 5.5 [CI 95% 0.2; 10.7]) and mental health (β = 15.2 [CI 95% 6.8; 23.7]). PA practice during leisure and locomotion was inversely associated with functional capacity (β = − 5.68 [CI 95% − 10.7; − 0.6]) and positively associated with vitality β = 4.8 [CI 95% 0.8; 8.7]) and mental health (β = 8.4 [CI 95% 2.0; 14.9]). The total PA practice was inversely associated with functional capacity (β = − 3.8 [CI 95% − 6.5; − 1.2]) and positively associated with pain in the body (β = 4.9 [CI 95% 0.3; 9.4]), vitality (β = 2.9 [CI 95% 0.7; 5.0]) and mental health (β = 5.7 [CI 95% 2.2; 9.2]). Conclusions It is suggested that practicing PA continuously within a period of two years can positively affect some physical aspects and some mental aspects related to HRQoL, but not all of them. A strategy for public policy actions is to explore these variables by domain and thus detect the real needs and improvements that can be made for the population.

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