Social Isolation, Social Support and Loneliness and Their Relationship With Physical Activity and Physical Function Among Older People

Background: Older adults are at risk of poor social health which may lead to reduced physical activity and physical function. The aim of this study was to determine whether social isolation, social support, and loneliness are independently associated with and/or predictive of physical activity and physical function in older adults.

Methods: Secondary analysis of 9066 participants from the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) trial and ASPREE Longitudinal Study of Older Persons (ALSOP) substudy. Social health domains and physical activity were measured through self-report. Physical function was assessed using three indicators: grip strength, gait speed, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

Results: Cross-sectionally, social isolation and low social support were associated with lower physical activity. Becoming socially isolated was correlated with a decrease in physical activity over a 3-year period (HR = 1.51, 95% CIs 1.03–2.21). Social isolation and low social support were cross-sectionally associated with low gait speed among men, but not women. Loneliness was cross-sectionally associated and longitudinally predictive of ADL difficulties (HR = 1.54, 95% CIs 1.18–2.01). No longitudinal association between social health and grip strength was observed.

Conclusion: Among older adults, social isolation and low social support may be more important risk factors for reduced physical activity and gait speed than loneliness, whereas loneliness may be more important for ADLs. Social health domains should be considered in physical activity and physical function strategies.