Table 1.
Characteristics of the sample (N=2442), n (%) unless otherwise specified
| Men (n=1189a) | Women (n=1253a) | |
|---|---|---|
| STRENGTH AND PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE AT AGE 53 YEARS (M [SD]) | ||
| Grip strength (kg) | 47.8 (12.0) | 27.8 (8.0) |
| Chair rise time ((1/s) ×100)b | 5.3 (1.7) | 5.0 (1.6) |
| Standing balance time (seconds)c | 5.5 (2.2) | 4.5 (2.0) |
| PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AT AGE | ||
| 36 years | ||
| Inactive | 363 (30.5) | 510 (40.7) |
| Moderately active | 319 (26.8) | 309 (24.7) |
| Most active | 507 (42.6) | 434 (34.6) |
| 43 years | ||
| Inactive | 562 (47.3) | 689 (55.0) |
| Moderately active | 281 (23.6) | 290 (23.1) |
| Most active | 346 (29.1) | 274 (21.9) |
| 53 years | ||
| Inactive | 555 (46.7) | 621 (50.0) |
| Moderately active | 240 (20.2) | 210 (16.8) |
| Most active | 394 (33.1) | 422 (33.7) |
| OTHER CHARACTERISTICS AT AGE 53 YEARS | ||
| Weight (kg; M [SD]) | 83.5 (13.2) | 71.8 (14.3) |
| Height (cm; M [SD]) | 174.6 (6.4) | 161.7 (5.9) |
| Occupational class | ||
| I or II (High) | 614 (51.6) | 457 (36.5) |
| III (Medium) | 458 (38.5) | 534 (42.6) |
| IV or V (Low) | 117 (9.8) | 262 (20.9) |
| Educational level | ||
| Degree or higher | 181 (15.2) | 65 (5.2) |
| A levels or equivalent | 341 (28.7) | 299 (23.9) |
| O levels or equivalent | 184 (15.5) | 327 (26.1) |
| CSE, clerical course or equivalent | 71 (6.0) | 118 (9.4) |
| None | 412 (34.7) | 444 (35.4) |
| Disabling/life-threatening health conditions | ||
| None | 1058 (89.0) | 1104 (88.1) |
| One or more | 131 (11.0) | 149 (11.9) |
| Smoking status | ||
| Never | 426 (35.8) | 621 (50.0) |
| Ex | 500 (42.1) | 356 (28.4) |
| Current | 263 (22.1) | 276 (22.0) |
Note: The sample includes those with data on covariates (Appendix C, available online at www.ajpmonline.org inlcudes comparison with sample with missing data on covariates), physical activity at all three ages, and at least one of the physical performance or strength measures. A levels are those usually attained at age 18 years; O levels are those usually attained at age 16 years.
CSE, Certificate of Secondary Education
a
Except for grip strength: men=1155, women=1205; chair rising: men=1119, women=1171; standing balance: men=1129, women=1182
b
Reciprocal of time taken for 10 chair rises × 100 (e.g., a value of 5 = 20 seconds to complete 10 chair rises)
c
Geometric M and SD