Sex differences in the relationship between exercise habits and loneliness among older adults: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Although loneliness has been associated with reduced physical activity, the association between exercise habits and loneliness remains unclear. METHODS: This study examined whether exercise habits are associated with loneliness among older adults by sex. This study included 10 152 individuals. The University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale was used to measure loneliness, with a score of 44 or more defined as loneliness. Information on exercise habits during the year was obtained using a questionnaire on whether participants performed 14 types of exercise. Binomial logistic regression analysis was conducted, with loneliness as the dependent variable and exercise habits as the independent variable. RESULTS: Overall, 3591 people (35.4%) were lonely, with more males (43.9%) experiencing loneliness than females (28.3%) (P < 0.05). Binomial logistic regression analysis stratified by sex showed that the following exercise types were associated with loneliness among males (odds ratio (95% confidence interval): golf, 0.77 (0.67-0.89); gymnastics, 0.86 (0.75-0.99); exercise circle, 0.77 (0.65-0.91); and team games, 0.76 (0.63-0.90), P < 0.05). In contrast, no association was found between exercise habits and loneliness among females (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Loneliness was reduced among males through certain exercise practices. Group exercise interventions may effectively prevent loneliness among males, who are more likely to feel lonely than females.