Moderate physical activity and higher frequency are inversely associated with incidence of frailty in middle-aged and older population: a 4-year longitudinal study in Europe

Background: Global aging is leading to an increase in frailty patients, and physical activity (PA) may have an impact on frail in middle-aged and older population. This study aimed to explore the relationship between the frequency of different PA intensities and the incidence and prevalence of frailty in middle-aged and older adults based on the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Method: Self-reported questionnaires were used to obtain information on demographics and PA, and frailty was assessed using the SHARE Frailty Instrument (SHARE-FI). Cox regression and logistic regression models were used to explore the association between PA and frailty and stratified according to middle or old age. Results: Among 6315 baseline non-frail participants aged 44–96 years, 16.1% developed frailty over 4 years, with higher incidence and prevalence in women ( P < 0.05). Women accounting for 55.80% of the sample. The frequency of participants participating in sports decreased over 4 years ( P < 0.05). Compared with participants who engaged in PA more than once a week, participants who engaged in moderated PA less frequently had a higher risk of new-onset frailty (HR: 3.174–6.115), and participants who engaged in vigorous PA 1–3 times a month had a higher risk of new-onset frailty (HR: 1.335). Participation in low-frequency moderate PA and vigorous PA 1–3 times per month were positively associated with the prevalence of frailty ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: Physical activity frequency decreases with age in middle-aged and older adults. Those adults who engage in moderate PA more than once a week have a lower risk of incidence of frailty, compared to those with more sedentary life-styles. Additionally, women need to pay more attention to frailty management.