Physical Activity and Multimorbidity Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Objective This study evaluated the relationship between physical activity (PA) and multimorbidity in community-dwelling older adults. Data Source A systematic review and meta-analysis in the following databases: Pubmed, Lilacs, Scielo, Web of Science, Scopus, and AgeLine. Study inclusion and Exclusion Criteria It included observational studies investigating the association between physical activity and multimorbidity, with older adults, published until May 2021. Studies with institutionalized individuals or that assessed specific diseases were excluded. Data Extraction Two reviewers independently extracted the studies based on previous inclusion and exclusion criteria, started by selecting titles, followed by abstracts and full-text reading. Data Synthesis Meta-analysis results were reported as Odds Ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval using R language. The Newcastle Ottawa scale was used to assess the quality of the studies. Results Fifteen studies were included in the systematic review, from which 12 reported an inverse association between physical activity and multimorbidity. In the meta-analysis, from over 77 000 older adults, there was an inverse association between physical activity and multimorbidity [OR: .81; 95% CI: .73-.89]. We found significant results only for men in the analysis by sex. Conclusions Low levels of physical activity were associated with a higher risk of multimorbidity in older adults. It is expected that public policies will be conducted aimed at the practice of physical activity among older adults.

Predictors of physical activity in older adults 65 years and older: findings in health survey of the Valencian Community

“…This controversy would require specific studies in order to be resolved. In our study, the data are in line with the results presented in the aforementioned meta-analysis ( 31 ), but no differentiation has been made between types of pathologies that cause pain or fatigue, so that our results could not enter into discussion with the aforementioned controversy.…”

“…Multimorbidity has been shown to be a variable that is inversely related to physical exercise. A meta-analysis studying the relationship between physical activity and multimorbidity showed that the probability of physical exercise in the older adult population with multimorbidity is OR = 0.81 (95% CI = 0.73–0.89) ( 31 ). This relationship has been controversial in the literature, since some authors identify morbidity associated with pathologies that cause pain or fatigue as a factor associated with lower adherence to physical activity ( 7 ) and other authors refute this idea by not identifying differences between people with cardiovascular disease or diabetes, which are not usually associated with pain or fatigue ( 32 ).…”

Patterns and Determinants of Multimorbidity in Older Adults: Study in Health-Ecological Perspective

“…Older adults with lower levels of physical activity are more likely to suffer from multimorbidity. Christine et al [ 59 ] showed that there was an inverse association between physical activity and multimorbidity among seniors aged ≥65 years, and this association was easier to be found in studies that include more than ten chronic diseases [ 60 ]. At the family and social network layer, widowhood was a risk factor for multimorbidity.…”

Life’s Essential 8

“… 17 , 23 , 24 As a result, exercise improves functional status, independence, and QOL while decreasing multimorbidity, and polypharmacy. 21 , 25 , 26 Moreover, use of senolytics, drugs with the ability to clear senescent cells, mimic some of the properties of exercise and may therefore also reduce musculoskeletal decline associated with aging. 27 , 28 …”