Association Between the Combined Effects of Physical Activity Intensity and Particulate Matter and All-Cause Mortality in Older Adults

Objective: To investigate the association between the combined effects of physical activity (PA) intensity and particulate matter <10 & mu;m in diameter (PM10) and mortality in older adults.Methods: This nationwide cohort study included older adults without chronic heart or lung disease who engaged in regular PA. Physical activity was assessed by a standardized, self-reported question-naire that asked the usual frequency of PA sessions with low (LPA), moderate (MPA), or vigorous intensity (VPA). Each participant's annual average cumulative PM10 was categorized as low to moderate and high PM10 on the basis of a cutoff value of 90th percentile. Results: A total of 81,326 participants (median follow-up, 45 months) were included. For participants engaged in MPA or VPA sessions, every 10% increase in the proportion of VPA to total PA sessions resulted in a 4.9% (95% CI, 1.0% to 9.0%; P=.014) increased and 2.8% (95% CI, -5.0% to -0.5%; P=.018) decreased risk of mortality for those exposed to high and low to moderate PM10, respectively (Pinteraction, <.001). For participants engaged only in LPA or MPA sessions, every 10% increase in the proportion of MPA to total PA sessions resulted in a 4.8% (95% CI, -8.9% to -0.4%; P=.031) and 2.3% (95% CI, -4.2% to -0.3%; P=.023) decreased risk of mortality for those exposed to high and low to moderate PM10, respectively (Pinteraction, .096).Conclusion: We found that for the same level of total PA, MPA was associated with delayed mortality whereas VPA was associated with hastened mortality of older adults in high levels of PM10.& COPY; 2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. & BULL; Mayo Clin Proc. 2023;98(8):1153-1163

Automated summary

This study investigated the association between the combined effects of physical activity intensity and PM10 and mortality in older adults. The results showed that for participants engaged in moderate or vigorous intensity physical activity, an increase in the proportion of vigorous intensity to total activity sessions was associated with increased mortality risk under high PM10 exposure and decreased risk under low to moderate PM10 exposure. For participants engaged in light or moderate intensity physical activity, an increase in the proportion of moderate intensity to total activity sessions was associated with decreased mortality risk under high and low to moderate PM10 exposure.