Fig. 3

Estimates and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) of the association between physical activity frequency and a physical function and b HRQoL. PA, physical activity. Shapes indicate different models: diamonds for model 1, triangles for model 2, squares for model 3, and circles for model 4. All models are adjusted for years from baseline. Model 1 shows the crude effect of physical activity frequency. Model 2 was adjusted for sex, age group, and education level. Model 3 was further adjusted for body mass index. Model 4 was further adjusted for multimorbidity, hospitalizations, clinical severity, and unmanageable pain levels. Non-frequent physical activity was set as the reference in all models. Sample sizes (number of participants): physical function—model 1 (n = 1086), model 2 (n = 1086), model 3 (n = 1051), model 4 (n = 907); HRQoL—model 1 (n = 1084), model 2 (n = 1084), model 3 (n = 1050), model 4 (n = 907)