Repository logo
 

Bidirectional association between physical activity and muscular strength in older adults: Results from the UK Biobank study.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Repository DOI


Change log

Authors

Cooper, Ajm 
Lamb, Mje 
Sharp, SJ 
Simmons, RK 
Griffin, SJ 

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The relationship between physical activity and muscular strength has not been examined in detail among older adults. The objective of this study was to examine the associations between physical activity and hand grip strength among adults aged ≥ 60 years. METHODS: Using data from the UK Biobank study, we included 66 582 men and women with complete baseline data and 6599 with 4.5 years of follow-up data. We used multiple linear regression models to examine the cross-sectional, longitudinal and bidirectional associations between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and grip strength, adjusting for potential confounding by age, sex, height, weight, health status, education level, smoking status, Townsend deprivation index and retirement status. RESULTS: In cross-sectional analyses, grip strength and MVPA were linearly and positively associated with each other. Longitudinally, baseline MVPA was not associated with grip strength at follow-up {difference between quintile [Q] 5 and Q1 = 0.40 [95% confidence interval (CI): -0.14, 0.94]kg}, whereas baseline grip strength was associated with MVPA at follow-up [Q5 vs Q1 = 7.15 (1.18, 13.12) min/day]. People who maintained/increased time spent in MVPA did not experience any benefit in grip strength [0.08 (-0.20, 0.37) kg] whereas those who increased their grip strength spent 3.69 (0.20, 7.17) min/day extra in MVPA. CONCLUSION: Promotion of strength-training activities may enable and maintain participation in regular physical activity among older adults.

Description

Keywords

MVPA, Physical activity, UK Biobank, bidirectional, longitudinal, muscle strength, older adults, Aged, Body Weight, Cross-Sectional Studies, Exercise, Female, Hand Strength, Health Promotion, Health Status, Humans, Linear Models, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Middle Aged, Time Factors, United Kingdom

Journal Title

Int J Epidemiol

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0300-5771
1464-3685

Volume Title

46

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)
Sponsorship
MRC (1435170)
Medical Research Council (MC_UU_12015/4)
Medical Research Council (MR/K025147/1)
Medical Research Council (MC_U106179474)
This work was supported by the Medical Research Council [Programme number: MC_UU_12015/4] and has been conducted using the UK Biobank Resource.