Association of Physical Activity in Midlife With Mobility Limitations and Falls in Old Age—A Longitudinal Twin Study

Abstract

Objective: To study the associations between midlife physical activity and later-life mobility limitation and falls in monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs. Methods: Midlife physical activity data from 1975, 1981, and 1990 questionnaires were drawn from the Older Finnish Twin Cohort. In the third survey, the participants were aged 46–50 years. Mobility limitations (none, some or severe) and falls (no falls, single fall or recurrent falls) were self-reported 2014–2016. Data (n = 641) were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression models. Results: In individual-level analysis a low level of physical activity in midlife was associated with severe mobility limitations. In within-twin pair analyses physical activity in midlife was associated with single falls among all pairs. Discussion: Lower levels of self-reported physical activity during midlife were associated with severe mobility limitations over two decades later. However, this association was attenuated when controlled for genetic factors.