https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9233-7414
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Abstract
Objectives
Based on a prospective design, this study aimed to investigate the relationships of leisure activities with physical and cognitive functions among Chinese older adults.
Methods
The respondents aged 65 years or more were selected from the 2014-2018 of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. Physical function measurement indicators were reflected by activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), and physical performance (PP), while cognitive function was assessed by Mini-Mental State Examination. Fine-Gray competing risk regression models were used to analyze the data.
Results
Using the figures for 2014 as a baseline for the study, we included 6047, 6216, 5951, and 5916 respondents in the ADL, IADL, PP, and cognitive function analyses, respectively. The prospective results showed that keeping domestic animals or pets was related to a lower risk of ADL disability of respondents after adjustment (SHR: 0.619, 95% CI: 0.486, 0.788). Similarly, taking part in social activities (SHR: 0.781, 95%CI: 0.658, 0.929) and reading books or newspapers (SHR: 0.793, 95% CI: 0.656, 0.958) were associated with a lower risk of IADL disability. Playing cards or mahjong was correlated with a lower risk of cognitive impairment (SHR: 0.669, 95% CI: 0.507, 0.882), while keeping domestic animals or pets was related to a higher risk of cognitive impairment (SHR: 1.279, 95% CI: 1.047, 1.562).
Conclusion
Participation in leisure activities moderately may decrease the risk of a decline in physical and cognitive functions among Chinese older adults.
Acknowledgements
We are grateful for the data provided by the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) team. We would like to acknowledge all the respondents who participated in the survey.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Author contributors
XZ and HL conceived and designed the study. ZR, YL, SZ, SQ and YP contributed to data acquisition and management. ZR, YL, XL, HS, HZ and MH contributed to the statistical analysis plan and data analysis. ZR drafted the manuscript. XZ, HL and MH participated in revising the manuscript. All authors have approved the final manuscript.