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Associations of Midlife to Late Life Fatigue with Physical Performance and Strength in Early Old Age: Results from a British Prospective Cohort Study

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Rachel CooperORCiD

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Abstract

© Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Objectives To examine associations of fatigue in midlife and later life with physical performance and strength in early old age. Methods Data on approximately 1800 men and women from the UK Medical Research Council National Survey of Health and Development with data on fatigue at ages 43 and 60 to 64 years were used. Fatigue was defined as perceived tiredness and was assessed prospectively at ages 43 and 60 to 64 years. At both ages, participants were categorized as having no, occasional, or frequent fatigue. Physical performance and strength were measured at age 60 to 64 years using four objective measures: grip strength, standing balance, chair rising, and timed get-up-and-go (TUG) tests. Results There were associations between reports of frequent fatigue at both ages and poorer grip strength, chair rise, and TUG performance at 60 to 64 years. Furthermore, individuals reporting frequent fatigue at both ages had weaker grip strength (β =-4.09 kg, 95% confidence interval [CI] =-6.71 to-1.48) and slower chair rise (β =-4.65 repetitions/min, 95% CI =-6.65 to-2.64) and TUG (β =-4.22 cm/s, 95% CI =-12.16 to-2.28) speeds when compared with those who reported no fatigue at both time points. These associations were robust and were maintained after adjustment for a range of covariates including physical activity and health status. Conclusions Reports of frequent fatigue were associated with poorer physical performance in early old age, especially if sustained from midlife to later life. These findings indicate that it is not just fatigue but fatigue sustained across adulthood that has implications for later life functioning.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Manty M, Kuh D, Cooper R

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Psychosomatic Medicine

Year: 2015

Volume: 77

Issue: 7

Pages: 823-832

Print publication date: 01/09/2015

Acceptance date: 01/01/1900

ISSN (print): 0033-3174

ISSN (electronic): 1534-7796

Publisher: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins

URL: https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0000000000000214

DOI: 10.1097/PSY.0000000000000214

PubMed id: 26176776

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