Isolated and synergistic effects of physical activity and sedentary behavior on the risk of mortality in the older adults synergy between physical activity and sedentary behavior in the risk of mortality

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the isolated and combined effects of Physical Activity (PA) and Sedentary Behavior (SB) on the survival of older adults. METHODS: Prospective cohort study, with a sample of 622 individuals aged ≥ 60 years, linked to the Family Health Strategies of Uberaba-MG, randomly selected. Data collection was carried out between April and November 2010, and deaths were verified in the records by year, until December 2019. PA and SB were measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate mortality risk, and the Kaplan Meier curve was used for survival analysis. RESULTS: Insufficient PA and high exposure to SB were associated with a higher risk of mortality. In the analysis of the combined effects, inactive older adults and those more exposed to SB were at greater risk. High exposure to SB potentiated the effects of insufficient PA on the survival of the elderly. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated that a reduction in SB combined with sufficient PA is associated with a reduced risk of mortality in the older adults. Actions aimed at increasing PA combined with reducing the time of exposure to SB are important strategies that can contribute to increasing the survival of this population.