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. 2024 May 29:12:e17459.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.17459. eCollection 2024.

Dose-response relationship between weekly physical activity level and the frequency of colds in Chinese middle-aged and elderly individuals

Xiaona Tang #  1   2 , Yichao Yu #  2   3 , Xiaoxue Wu  1   2 , Chengru Xu  1   2 , Zhao Zhang  1   2 , Yifan Lu  1   2
Affiliations

Dose-response relationship between weekly physical activity level and the frequency of colds in Chinese middle-aged and elderly individuals

Xiaona Tang et al. PeerJ. .

Abstract

Background: Engaging in appropriate physical activity can significantly lower the risk of various diseases among middle-aged and older adults. Investigating optimal levels of physical activity (PA) is crucial for enhancing the health of this demographic. This study aims to explore the dose-response relationship between weekly PA levels and the frequency of colds among Chinese middle-aged and elderly individuals, identifying the necessary PA level to effectively diminish the risk of colds.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using a web-based survey targeting individuals aged 40 and older (n = 1, 683) in China. The survey collected information on PA and the frequency of colds. Data was analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test and the χ2 test. We explored the dose-response relationship between weekly PA and cold frequency over the past year through an ordered multivariate logistic regression model and a restricted cubic spline model.

Results: (1) Brisk walking emerged as the preferred physical exercise for those over 40. The findings suggest that engaging in moderate (odds ratio (OR) = 0.64, P < 0.001, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.50-0.81]) and high (OR = 0.64, P < 0.001, 95% CI [0.51-0.79]) levels of PA weekly significantly reduces the risk of catching a cold. Individuals with one (OR = 1.47, P < 0.001, 95% CI [1.20-1.80]) or multiple chronic diseases (OR = 1.56, P < 0.001, 95% CI [1.21-2.00]) were at increased risk. Those residing in central (OR = 1.64, P < 0.001, 95% CI [1.33-02.01]) and western China (OR = 1.49, P = 0.008, 95% CI [1.11-02.00]) faced a higher risk compared to their counterparts in eastern China. (2) According to the restricted cubic spline model, adults who experienced one cold in the past year had a weekly PA level of 537.29 metabolic equivalent-minutes per week (MET-min/wk) with an OR value of 1. For those reporting two or more colds, the PA level was 537.76 MET-min/wk with an OR of 1.

Conclusions: (1) Brisk walking is the most favored exercise among the Chinese middle-aged and elderly, with the prevalence of colds being affected by the number of chronic diseases and the geographic location. (2) Regular, moderate exercise is linked to a lower risk of colds. To effectively reduce cold frequency, it is recommended that middle-aged and elderly Chinese individuals engage in a minimum of 538 MET-min/wk of exercise.

Keywords: Cold; Dose-response; Middle-aged and elderly; Physical activity.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare there are no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Flowchart of the study.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Physical activity in participants with different characteristics: (A) genders (B) age (years) (C) chronic disease (D) regions.
Asterisks (*) indicate comparative significant differences in PA level between groups.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Dose–response relationship between PA level and frequency of colds: (A) one time (B) ≥ two times.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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