Membership in Sport or Exercise Groups Predicts Sustained Physical Activity and Longevity in Older Adults Compared to Physically Active Matched Controls

Background: Physical activity tends to decline in older age, despite being key to health and longevity. Previous investigations have focused on demographic and individual factors that predict sustained physical activity. Purpose: To examine whether engaging in physical activity in the context of sport or exercise group membership can protect against age-related physical activity decline. Methods: Drawn from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, participants were members of sport or exercise groups aged 50 and over (N = 2015) as well as nonmember controls, who were matched at baseline for age, sex, and physical activity levels (N = 1881). Longitudinal mixed effects models were used to assess the effect of sport or exercise group membership on physical activity and longevity across a 14-year follow-up. Results: Members of sport or exercise groups experienced an attenuated decline in both moderate and vigorous physical activity over a 14-year follow-up compared to physically active matched controls. Sport or exercise group members were also less likely to have died at follow-up, an effect that was mediated through sustained physical activity. Conclusions: Promoting membership in sport and exercise groups may be a beneficial strategy for supporting sustained physical activity and health among older people.