Active longevity and aging: dissecting the impacts of physical and sedentary behaviors on longevity and age acceleration

Abstract Background To examine the associations of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) with longevity and age acceleration (AA) using observational and Mendelian randomization (MR) studies, and quantify the mediating effects of lipids. Methods In Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study (GBCS), PA and SB were assessed by the Chinese Version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Longevity was defined as participants whose age at follow-up or at death was at or above the 90th age percentile. AA was defined as the residual resulting from a linear model that regressed phenotypic age against chronological age. Linear regression and Poisson regression with robust error variance were used to assess the associations of total and specific PA in different intensities, and SB with AA and longevity, yielding βs or relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Two-sample MR was conducted to examine the causal effects. Mediation analysis was used to assess the mediating effects of lipids. Results Of 20,924 participants aged 50 + years in GBCS, during an average follow-up of 15.0 years, compared with low PA, moderate and high PA were associated with higher likelihood of longevity (RR (95% CI): 1.56 (1.16, 2.11), 1.66 (1.24, 2.21), respectively), and also cross-sectionally associated with lower AA (β (95% CI): -1.43 (-2.41, -0.45), -2.09 (-3.06, -1.11) years, respectively). Higher levels of moderate PA (MPA) were associated with higher likelihood of longevity and lower AA, whereas vigorous PA (VPA) showed opposite effects. The association of PA with longevity observed in GBCS was mediated by low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by 8.23% (95% CI: 3.58–39.61%), while the association with AA was mediated through LDL-C, triglycerides and total cholesterol by 5.13% (3.94–7.30%), 7.81% (5.98–11.17%), and 3.37% (2.59–4.80%), respectively. Additionally, in two-sample MR, SB was positively associated with AA (β (95% CI): 1.02 (0.67, 1.36) years). Conclusions PA showed protective effects on longevity and AA, with the effects being partly mediated through lipids. Conversely, SB had a detrimental impact on AA. MPA was associated with higher likelihood of longevity and reduced AA, whereas VPA showed adverse effects. Our findings reinforce the recommendation of “sit less and move more” to promote healthy longevity, and highlight the potential risks associated with VPA in the elderly.