Physical activity and health-related quality of life among older men: An examination of current physical activity recommendations

Objective: To determine differences in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) between older men achieving versus not achieving American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the United States Department of Health and Human Services recommendations (USDHHS) physical activity (PA) recommendations. Method: Older-aged men (≥ 55. years) completed a mailed survey that assessed self-reported PA and HRQoL. Data were collected between September and October of 2010. Results: 387 older men (Mean age = 65) completed the survey. Under half (48%) reported achieving the ACSM recommendation while 64% reported achieving the USDHHS recommendation. Older men achieving the ACSM recommendation reported significantly higher scores in physical health (δ = 3.5, p < 0.001), mental health (δ = 4.4, p < 0.001), and global health (δ = 4.3, p < 0.001) component scores compared to those not achieving the recommendation. Those achieving the higher dose recommended by the USDHHS (≥ 300. min. per week of moderate-intensity activity) reported significantly higher scores on the PHC (δ = 2.1, p = 0.029) and GHC (δ = 2.3, p = 0.027) scales compared to those achieving the USDHHS base recommendation (150-299.9. min. per week of moderate-intensity activity). Conclusions: Self-reported PA was significantly and positively associated with higher HRQoL scores among older men. Associations were stronger for those achieving a higher volume of PA.