Physical activity enhances long-term quality of life in older adults: Efficacy, esteem, and affective influences

TLDR

Physical activity is known to improve older adults’ quality of life in the short term, but its long‑term effects and underlying mediators remain unclear. This study investigated whether psychological factors mediate the relationship between physical activity and global quality of life over a four‑year period. A randomized controlled exercise trial with 174 participants (mean age 66.7) collected psychosocial measures at baseline, 1 year, and 5 years to assess changes. Longitudinal analysis showed that physical activity increased self‑efficacy, self‑esteem, and positive affect at one year, and that higher self‑efficacy and positive affect predicted better quality of life; over four years, only positive affect directly drove QOL improvements, supporting mediation by psychological outcomes.

Abstract

Background: Physical activity has been effective in enhancing quality of life (QOL) of older adults over relatively short periods of time. However, little is known about the longterm effects of physical activity and even less about the possible mediators of this relationship. Purpose: We examined the mediating effects of psychological variables on the relationship between physical activity and global QOL (satisfaction with life) in older adults over a 4-year period. Methods: Participants (N = 174, M age = 66.7 years) completed a battery of psychosocial measures at 1 and 5 years following enrollment in a 6-month randomized controlled exercise trial. Results: Panel analysis conducted within a covariance modeling framework indicated that physical activity was related to self-efficacy, physical self-esteem, and positive affect at 1 year, and in turn, greater levels of self-efficacy and positive affect were associated with higher levels of QOL. Analyses indicated that changes in physical activity over the 4-year period were related to increases in physical self-esteem and positive affect, but only positive affect directly influenced improvements in QOL. Conclusions: The findings lend support to the position that physical activity effects on QOL are in part mediated by intermediate psychological outcomes and that physical activity can have long-term effects on well-being.