The Association Between Physical Activity Levels and Health-related Quality of Life in Korean Elderly: The Eighth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

OBJECTIVES This study identified the association between physical activity levels and health-related quality of life in Korean elderly.METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted using data collected from the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The data for the analysis included socioeconomic variables, adherence to WHO-recommended levels of aerobic physical activity and resistance exercise, subjective perceived health and health-related quality of life as measured by the EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D). Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were calculated for the association using the complex samples logistic regression analysis.RESULTS There were significant differences in subjective perceived health and health-related quality of life based on the levels of aerobic physical activity and resistance exercise. Elderly individuals who engaged in aerobic physical activity and resistance exercise at levels recommended by the WHO had higher perceived health and better health-related quality of life. And it was confirmed that the level of physical activity and health-related quality of life had a significant association even after adjusting for socioeconomic factors.CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study indicate that performing aerobic activity and resistance exercise at levels recommended by the WHO significantly improved health-related quality of life in Korean elderly.