| Keywords |
Aging; Choronic disease; Physical inactivity; Sarcopenia; Older adults |
| Abstract |
The purpose of this population-based study was to examine the relationships of multimorbidity with physical activity and lower body muscle strength in older adults aged 65 years and older who participated in the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging in 2020. Multimorbidy was defined as having two or more physician-diagnosed chronic diseases. Physical activity in minutes per week was assessed with a self-reported questionnaire. Lower body muscle strength was assessed by performing 5 times sit-to-stand tests. Logistic regression analysis showed that individuals who did not meet the WHO recommendations for physical activity were at increased risk for multimorbidity (odds ratio, OR=1.207, p=0.044) compared with individuals without multimorbidity (OR=1). Individuals with weak lower body muscle strength were at increased risk for multimorbidity (OR=1.719, p<0.001) compared with individuals with normal lower body muscle strength (OR=1).
Finally, individuals who had the coexistence of insufficient physical activity and weak lower body muscle strength were at the highest risk for multimorbidity (OR=2.697, p<0.001) compared with individuals with sufficient physical activity and normal lower body muscle strength (OR=1). The current findings of the study suggest that a lifestyle strategy targeting adequate amount of physical activity and normal lower body muscle strength is urgent for healthy aging. |