Examining the relationship between different physical activities and health and well-being in middle-aged and older men: an isotemporal substitution analysis

Background: Well-being declines during men's middle years, and while physical activity (PA) can have a positive influence, the type of PA that provides the greatest benefit is not clear. This cross-sectional study explored how participation in different types of PA is associated with the well-being and self-rated health of middle-aged and older men.

Methods: A representative sample of South Australian adults completed a survey which assessed time spent in a variety of physical activities and self-rated health, life worth, life satisfaction and previous day happiness and anxiety. This study focused on a subsample of men≥35 years of age (n=1019). Partition and isotemporal substitution analyses were used to explore relationships between different types of PA and self-rated health and well-being outcomes.

Results: Weekly PA was positively associated with all outcomes among middle-aged men (35-64 years), but only with self-rated health and life satisfaction in older men (65+ years). Substituting out 30 mins of team sport participation with cycling, fitness/gym-based activities or other recreational activities was associated with higher self-rated health in middle-aged men. In older men, substituting 30 mins of dance with most other types of PA was related with greater self-rated health and life worth.

Conclusions: Total weekly PA was consistently related to the self-rated health and well-being of middle-aged men, but less so among older men. Despite some substitution effects for self-rated health, for the most part well-being was not influenced by activity substitution, particularly among middle-aged men.