Role of Physical Activity in Reducing the Risk of Multimorbidity Among the Elderly

Abstract

Engagement in physical activity has shown positive impacts on the health of those with chronic illnesses. Information on the correlation between multimorbidity (MM) and exercise is scarce. To examine the correlation between chronic diseases, MM, and inadequate physical activity amongst older persons, categorized by sex. This research is a cross-sectional, population-based, and household-based analysis from the Ageing Cohort research wave. The deficiency of exercise (results) was determined using the extended form of the International Physical Activity Survey (≤ 150 min/week). Eleven expressed chronic illnesses were discovered. MM was characterized by the quantity of chronic diseases present (none, 2 or 3, or four or more). The adjustment factors were age, education, relationship status, revenue, smoking habits, alcohol intake, and cognitive function. Each chronic illness was controlled for the others. Relationships were evaluated via logistic regression analysis (both crude and modified). Of the 1200 individuals under 64, women (55.0%) were more likely to be inadequately active than males (40.1%). In the modified study, those exhibiting signs of depression, both women and men, as well as males with diabetes, had a higher likelihood of being inadequately active compared to those without such symptoms. Women with MM had a higher likelihood of inadequate physical activity, with the impact being most pronounced for four or more disorders. This research demonstrates that the relationships were exclusive to sex. Feelings of depression and MM correlated with inadequate exercise in women, while diabetes was linked to a lack of exercise in males.