Sufficiently intense physical activity relative to individual fitness may be key to maintaining physical functioning in older adults

A study conducted at the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä examined how the amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was associated with changes in physical functioning among 75–85-year-olds over a four-year follow-up period. 

The study also examined whether the length of activity bouts was associated with changes in physical functioning during the follow-up. Physical functioning was assessed using tests indicative of walking ability and aerobic fitness, as well as leg strength and power. 

Physical activity intensity should be considered in relation to an individual’s fitness level 

The study found that a greater amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was associated with smaller declines in walking ability and aerobic fitness when physical activity intensity was defined relative to an individual’s fitness level. When the same intensity thresholds for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were applied to everyone, these associations were not observed. 

“An individual’s fitness level affects the intensity of physical activity at which health benefits may be achieved. For people with lower fitness levels, lower-intensity physical activity may be sufficient to help maintain physical functioning and achieve health benefits, compared with people with higher fitness levels", says Postdoctoral Researcher Matti Hyvärinen. 

“This has already been observed in short-term exercise interventions, but this study also provides epidemiological evidence on the topic”. 

Even short bouts of physical activity may be beneficial for maintaining physical functioning 

The physical activity guidelines published in 2020 removed the previous requirement for physical activity to be performed in bouts of at least 10 minutes. However, recent studies have questioned whether the 10-minute threshold was removed without sufficient evidence. 

In this study, the duration of individual physical activity bouts was not independently associated with the preservation of physical functioning. Instead, sufficient intensity relative to an individual’s fitness level appeared to be more important. 

“Even short but sufficiently challenging bouts of physical activity in everyday life may help maintain physical functioning as people age.” 

The study was conducted at the Gerontology Research Center at the University of Jyväskylä as part of an Academy Project led by Associate Professor Laura Karavirta, investigating the individualized assessment of physical activity in older adults. The study utilized data from the Active Ageing and Wellbeing in Old Age (AGNES) cohort study, in which participants were 75, 80, or 85 years old at baseline. The research project has been funded by the Research Council of Finland and the European Research Council. 

Publication: 

Matti Hyvärinen, Antti Löppönen, Timo Aittokoski, Soren Brage, Tomas Gonzales, Taina Rantanen, Laura Karavirta, Association between physical activity bout length and physical functioning in older adults using absolute and relative intensity thresholds: A longitudinal cohort study, The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, 2026; https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glag219