Fatigue May Contribute to Reduced Physical Activity Among Older People: An Observational Study

Abstract

Background: Fatigue is one of the most commonly reported symptoms in primary care and perceived by older people as an overwhelming and distressing experience that restricts their activity and social participation. Self-reported fatigue is complex and multifactorial, with relatively little known about the causes and impacts among older people. This study tested the association between fatigue and objectively measured physical activity in a large cohort of older adults and identified factors that may explain this association. Methods: Using cross-sectional data from 980 community-living 70- to 77-year-olds, the associations between self-reported fatigue and four physical activity outcomes deri..