Background
The association between objectively measured bouted (at least 10 min in duration) and non‐bouted (<10 min in duration) physical activity with multimorbidity is unknown, which was the purpose of this study.
Methods
Data from the 2003–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were employed (n = 4 584 adults). Bouted physical activity and non‐bouted physical activity were assessed via accelerometry, with multimorbidity assessed via physician diagnosis and laboratory data.
Results
For the ordinal regression model, and after adjustment, both non‐bouted moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA; βadjusted = −0·63; 95% CI: −0·79 to −0·48; P<0·001) and bouted MVPA (βadjusted = −0·43; 95% CI: −0·63 to −0·23; P<0·001) were independently associated with multimorbidity. In a multivariable logistic regression, both non‐bouted MVPA (ORadjusted = 0·59; 95% CI: 0·48–0·72; P<0·001) and bouted MVPA (ORadjusted = 0·66; 95% CI: 0·52–0·84; P = 0·001) were associated with a reduced odds of being multimorbid.
Conclusion
Both bouted MVPA and non‐bouted MVPA were associated with reduced odds of multimorbidity, underscoring the importance of promoting both types of physical activity.