Balance is key: Exploring the impact of daily self-reported physical activity and sedentary behaviours on the subjective health status of older adults

Abstract Research has identified physical activity and sedentary behaviours as independent predictors of successful aging; however, few studies have explored interactions between these constructs in relation to older adult health. The present study utilized data from the General Social Survey (Cycle 24) to calculate proportion of time engaging in sedentary and physically active behaviours during waking hours, and examined its impact on self-rated health and physical health limitations (e.g., difficulty walking) in older adults ( N  = 3557; ≥ 65 years). Results suggest this proportion has a significant impact on three health measures; as proportion of daily minutes becomes more physically active or less sedentary, the better one's health status tends to be. Specifically, the proportion was positively associated with self-rated general health (OR Poor-Excellent  = 17.57; p Poor-Excellent  = 4.68; p p