Incidence and Predictors of Physical Inactivity Among Malaysian Community-Dwelling Older Persons

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of physical inactivity and identify the predictors for low physical activity among community-dwelling older persons living in Malaysia in 3 years follow-up. In this prospective study, physical activity levels were measured using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly. The arbitrary cutoff for Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly in this study was ≤70.9 for low and >141 for high physical activity levels. Out of the 955 physically active participants at baseline, 555 of them (mean [SD] age 68.82 [4.92] years) were successfully followed up to 3 years. Cumulative incidence of being physically inactive was 21% with rate of 7 per 100 person-years. It was found that being older (<.001), from Malay ethnic group (<.05), smokers (<.01), having lower gait speed (<.001), and lower cognitive status (<.05) were predictors for physical inactivity among Malaysian community-dwelling older persons in 3 years follow-up. These factors should be taken into consideration when planning for intervention and promotion strategies to increase physical activity levels among Malaysian older persons.