The association of physical activity with all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortalities among older adults

• Inverse dose–response relationship exists between physical activity and mortality.
• The elderly older adults benefit from an active lifestyle in most subgroups.
• The elderly older adults should be encouraged to be physically active at least 1–2 times/week

ObjectiveTo evaluate the association of physical activity with all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortalities among older adults.MethodsA study sample consisting of 77,541 community-dwelling Taipei citizens aged ≥ 65 years was selected based on data obtained from the government-sponsored Annual Geriatric Health Examination Program between 2006 and 2010. Subjects were asked how many times they had physical activity for ≥ 30 min during the past 6 months. Mortality was determined by matching cohort identifications with national death files.ResultsCompared to subjects with no physical activity, those who had 1–2 times of physical activity per week had a decreased risk of all-cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR): 0.77; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.71–0.85). Subjects with 3–5 times of physical activity per week had a further decreased risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.58–0.70). An inverse dose–response relationship was observed between physical activity and all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality. According to stratified analyses, physical activity was associated with a decreased risk of mortality in most subgroups.ConclusionsPhysical activity had an inverse association with all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality among older adults. Furthermore, most elderly people can benefit from an active lifestyle.