Relationships between physical activity, age, and self-rated physical and psychological health in community-dwelling adults

Objectives: The aims of this study were to investigate whether (1) physical activity is significantly associated with self-rated physical and psychological health in community-dwelling adults and (2) associations between age and self-rated physical and psychological health are linear or U-shaped for various physical activity levels. Methods: The participants were community- dwelling adults, and data were collected from physical fitness exam stations operated by the Sports Administration, Ministry of Education. Demographic characteristics, physical activity, and self-rated physical and psychological health statuses were collected. Hierarchical regression was used for statistical analysis. Results: In total, 2,212 adults were recruited and divided into high, moderate, and low physical activity groups. After controlling demographic characteristics, adults in high and moderate physical activity groups had significantly higher self-rated health (high: P = .12; moderate: P = .20, both p < .001), self-rated physical health (high: (3 = .09; moderate: p = .17, both p < .001), and self-rated psychological health (high: |3 = .12; moderate: = .19, both p < .001) than those in the low physical activity group. In addition, linear and positive.relationships were observed between age and self-rated physical and psychological health in the three physical activity groups. Conclusions: Adults with high physical activity and old age tended to have good self-rated physical and psychological health.