Longitudinal Associations Between Physical Activity and Purpose in Life Among Older Adults: A Cross-Lagged Panel Analysis.

The purpose of the current study was to examine the bidirectional relationship between physical activity (PA) and purpose in life in an older adult sample using longitudinal data. Data were collected from three waves (2006, 2010, and 2014) of the Health and Retirement Study. A total of 4591 participants who had complete information of PA and purpose in life at baseline were included in the current study. A series of cross-lagged models were tested separately for vigorous-intensity PA, moderate-intensity PA, and light-intensity PA. While higher levels of purpose in life were associated with more frequent engagement in future vigorous-intensity PA, moderate-intensity PA, and light-intensity PA, none of the PA variables predicted subsequent purpose in life. The results did not support a reciprocal relationship between PA and purpose in life in older adults. It is more likely that purpose in life predicts PA, rather than vice versa.