Physical Activity and Self-Rated Health Among People Living With Disabilities in Korea: Evidence From the Panel Survey of Employment for the Disabled.

Background

This study examined the association between physical activity and self-rated health among adults with disabilities in Korea.

Methods

Data were drawn from waves 1-3 (2016-2018) of the Panel Survey of Employment for the Disabled. The baseline analytic cohort included 4356 adults with disabilities; generalized estimating equation models used 12,212 person-wave observations to estimate odds of poor self-rated health, adjusting for sociodemographic, disability-related, and health-related covariates. Subgroup analyses compared adults aged <50 years with those aged ≥50 years.

Results

Regular physical activity was associated with lower odds of poor self-rated health (OR = 0.72; 95% CI, 0.66-0.79). Compared with daily physical activity, no physical activity was associated with higher odds of poor self-rated health (OR = 1.58; 95% CI, 1.32-1.88). The association between no regular physical activity and poor self-rated health was observed in both age strata and was somewhat stronger among adults aged ≥50 years (OR = 1.46; 95% CI, 1.26-1.70).

Conclusions

Regular physical activity is positively associated with better perceived health in people living with disabilities. Age-specific strategies that promote sustainable physical activity participation, particularly among older adults, may support better health and well-being in this population.