The association between exercise, activities, and frailty in older Chinese adults: a cross-sectional study based on the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) data.

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between exercise/activities and frailty in older Chinese adults using the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS).

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 6862 participants aged 65 years or older from the CLHLS 2018. Frailty was assessed using a 38-variable frailty index (FI). Activities included Tai chi, square dance, garden work, raising animals/pets, playing cards/mah-jongg, social activity and housework. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the association between exercise/activities and frailty, adjusting for covariates such as gender, age, BMI, chronic diseases, residence, education, co-residence, economic status, smoking, drinking, physical labor history, and nutritional supplements.

Results: The mean age of this study was 81.5 (SD = 10.3)years, with 3567 (52%) females. Frailty prevalence was 32.3%. The prevalence of exercise and daily activities was 31% and 78.6%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the likelihood of frailty increased with decreased exercise (OR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.57, 2.18, P < 0.001) and activities (OR = 4.43, 95% CI: 3.74, 5.25, P < 0.001).

Conclusions: Participation in exercise/activities is associated with a lower likelihood of frailty. Regular housework may also contribute to reducing frailty risk.