Association between physical activity and stroke in a middle-aged and elderly Chinese population

Abstract

Background:Accumulating evidence has reported that physical activity (PA) is effective in reducing stroke and mortality. However, whether PA levels are associated with stroke in middle-aged and elderly people in Jiangxi Province of China remains unclear. In the present study, we evaluated the association between PA and the risk of stroke in Jiangxi Province of China.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Jiangxi Province of China from November 2013 to August 2014, using standardized questionnaire forms and physical measurements. Self-reported PA was assessed using the international PA questionnaire. A history of stroke was self-reported by answering the questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between PA levels and the risk of stroke after adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and disease-related risk factors.Results:A total of 10,398 participants (4240 men and 6158 women, aged 45 to 97 years) completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Compared with low-intensity PA, vigorous PA was associated with graded reduction in the risk of stroke (odds ratio [OR] of 0.763, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.717–0.812, P < .001 for trend). However, there were no significant differences between individuals in the low-intensity PA and moderate-intensity PA group (P > 0.05).Conclusions:Compared with low PA, vigorous PA, but not moderate PA, was associated with a lower risk of stroke in middle aged and elderly people in southern China, specifically among men. These findings suggested that increasing PA is beneficial.

Associations between Intensity, Frequency, Duration, and Volume of Physical Activity and the Risk of Stroke in Middle- and Older-Aged Chinese People: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…A study showed that a high or moderate level of PA was protective against stroke in men not women [ 13 ]. In addition, a study found that vigorous physical activity (VPA) was associated with a lower chance of having a stroke compared with light physical activity (LPA) [ 14 ], whereas other research has shown that VPA did not decrease the risk of stroke [ 15 ]. Meanwhile, there were also some inconsistent results in several studies about the associations between the frequency of PA and the risk of stroke [ 16 , 17 ].…”

Factors Associated with Physical Activity in Elderly Nursing Home Residents: A Path Analysis

“…Moreover, proper educational programs for PA engagement interventions, adequate facilities, and personnel for exercise guidance for nursing home residents are needed. Previous studies conducted in China showed that vigorous PA, compared with low and moderate PA, was associated with a lower risk of stroke in elderly people [2]. Findings from Underwood et al [25] also suggested that a moderateintensity exercise program did not reduce depressive symptoms among residents of care homes.…”

“…Poor PA leads to insufficient energy expenditure, which results in obesity and chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases [1]. PA is essential for healthy aging and offers many health benefits, including reduced risk of chronic diseases [2] and premature death [3].…”

Factors associated with physical activity in elderly nursing home residents: a path analysis

“…Moreover, proper educational programs for PA engagement interventions, adequate facilities, and personnel to provide exercise guidance for nursing home residents are needed. Previous studies conducted in China showed that vigorous PA, compared with low and moderate PA, was associated with a lower risk of stroke in elderly people [ 2 ]. Findings from Underwood et al [ 40 ] also suggested that a moderate-intensity exercise program did not reduce depressive symptoms among residents of care homes.…”

“…Poor PA leads to insufficient energy expenditure, which results in obesity and chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases [ 1 ]. PA is essential for healthy aging and offers many health benefits, including a reduced risk of chronic diseases [ 2 ] and premature death [ 3 ]. Moreover, the implementation of a PA program improves physical [ 4 ] and cognitive functions [ 5 , 6 ], increases the quality of life, and decreases depressive symptoms [ 7 ] in elderly adults.…”