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.