Skip to main content Accessibility help

We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.

Close cookie message
×
Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-r5fsc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T00:27:40.509Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

11 - Preventive Effects of Physical Activity in Older People

from Part I - Biomedical Aspects

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 January 2019

By
Timo E. Strandberg
Edited by
Rocío Fernández-Ballesteros ,
Athanase Benetos  and
Jean-Marie Robine
Rocío Fernández-Ballesteros
Affiliation:
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
Athanase Benetos
Affiliation:
Université de Lorraine and Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM) Nancy
Jean-Marie Robine
Affiliation:
INSERM
Get access

Summary

Promoting physical activity is in many ways beneficial even in oldest-old, 90 years and older, but methods must be adjusted and individualized. Versatile exercise improving the cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength and mobility as well as balance is effective for maintaining functional capacity, especially among those already having impaired mobility and being frail. Physical exercise can slow down the progress of osteoporosis, and intense exercise may even improve bone density in an older person. The main focus of physical activity aiming at the prevention of falls and fractures is in training that improves balance and muscular strength in the lower extremities. Endurance exercise and strength training may also prevent cognitive decline. Mental and social aspects of physical activity in older people are also important.
Type
Chapter
Information
The Cambridge Handbook of Successful Aging , pp. 169 - 178
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2019

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Andrieu, S., Coley, N., Lovestone, , Aisen, P. S., Vellas, B. Prevention of sporadic Alzheimer's disease: lessons learned from clinical trials and future directions. Lancet Neurol. 2015; 14: 926–44.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Blain, H., Masud, T., Dargent-Molina, P., et al. EUGMS Falls and Fracture Interest Group; European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis (ESCEO), Osteoporosis Research and Information Group (GRIO), and International osteoporosis Foundation (IOF). A Comprehensive Fracture Prevention Strategy in Older Adults: The European Union Geriatric Medicine Society (EUGMS) Statement. J Nutr Health Aging. 2016; 20(6): 647–52.Google ScholarPubMed
Boyle, P. A., Buchman, A. S., Wilson, R. S., et al. Physical activity is associated with incident disability in community-based older persons. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2007; 55(2): 195–201.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Brown, B. M., Peiffer, J. J., Martins, R. N. Multiple effects of physical activity on molecular and cognitive signs of brain aging: can exercise slow neurodegeneration and delay Alzheimer's disease? Mol Psychiatry. 2013; 18(8): 864–74.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Colcombe, S., Kramer, A. F. Fitness effects on the cognitive function of older adults: a meta-analytic study. Psychol Sci. 2003; 14(2): 125–30.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cosman, F., de Beur, S. J., LeBoff, M. S., et al. Clinician's Guide to Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis. Osteoporos Int. 2014; 25(10): 2359–81.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cruz-Jentoft, A. J., Landi, F., Schneider, S. M., et al. Prevalence of and interventions for sarcopenia in ageing adults: a systematic review. Report of the International Sarcopenia Initiative (EWGSOP and IWGS). Age Ageing. 2014; 43(6): 748–59.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fiatarone, M. A., O'Neill, E. F., Ryan, N. D., et al. Exercise training and nutritional supplementation for physical frailty in very elderly people. N Engl J Med. 1994; 330(25): 1769–75.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Giangregorio, L. M., McGill, S., Wark, J. D., et al. Too Fit To Fracture: outcomes of a Delphi consensus process on physical activity and exercise recommendations for adults with osteoporosis with or without vertebral fractures. Osteoporos Int. 2015; 26(3): 891–910.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gorelick, P. B., Scuteri, A., Black, S. E., et al. Vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia. A statement for healthcare professionals from the American Heart /American Stroke Association. Stroke. 2011; 42: 2672–713.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kohrt, W. M., Bloomfield, S. A., Little, K. D., et al. American College of Sports Medicine Position Stand: physical activity and bone health. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2004; 36(11): 1985–96.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Komulainen, P., Kivipelto, M., Lakka, T. A., et al. Exercise, fitness and cognition – a randomised controlled trial in older individuals: the DR's EXTRA study. Eur Geriatr Med. 2010; 1: 266–72.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lafortune, L., Martin, S., Kelly, S., et al. Behavioural risk factors in mid-life associated with successful ageing, disability, dementia and frailty in later life: a rapid systematic review. PLos One. 2016; 11(2): e0144405. doi:0.1371/journal.pone.0144405CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Landi, F., Cesari, M., Calvani, R., et al. The “Sarcopenia and Physical fRailty IN older people: multi-componenT Treatment strategies” (SPRINTT) randomized controlled trial: design and methods. Aging Clin Exp Res. 2017; 29(1): 89–100. doi: 10.1007/s40520-016-0715-2.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Liu, C. J., Latham, N. K. Progressive resistance strength training for improving physical function in older adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009; (3): CD002759.Google ScholarPubMed
Marques, E. A., Mota, J., Carvalho, J. Exercise effects on bone mineral density in older adults: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Age (Dordr). 2012; 34: 1493–515.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Messinger-Rapport, B. J., Gammack, J. K., Thomas, D. R., et al. Clinical update on nursing home medicine: 2013. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2013; 14(12): 860–76.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ngandu, T., Lehtisalo, J., Solomon, A., et al. A 2 year multidomain intervention of diet, exercise, cognitive training, and vascular risk monitoring versus control to prevent cognitive decline in at-risk elderly people (FINGER): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2015; 385(9984): 2255–63.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Öhman, H., Savikko, N., Strandberg, T., et al. Effects of exercise on functional performance and fall rate in subjects with mild or advanced Alzheimer's disease: secondary analyses of a randomized controlled study. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2016a; 41(3–4): 233–41.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Öhman, H., Savikko, N., Strandberg, T. E., et al. Effects of exercise on cognition: the Finnish Alzheimer Disease Exercise Trial (FINALEX): a randomized, controlled trial. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2016b; 64: 731–8.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pahor, M., Guralnik, J. M., Ambrosius, W. T., et al. Effect of structured physical activity on prevention of major mobility disability in older adults: the LIFE study randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2014; 311(23): 2387–96.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Paterson, D. H., Warburton, D. E. Physical activity and functional limitations in older adults: a systematic review related to Canada's Physical Activity Guidelines. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2010; 7: 38. doi: 10.1186/1479-5868-7-38.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pitkälä, K., Savikko, N., Pöysti, M., Strandberg, T., Laakkonen, M. L. Efficacy of physical exercise intervention on mobility and physical functioning in older people with dementia: a systematic review. Exp Gerontol. 2013a; 48: 85–93.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pitkälä, K. H., Pöysti, M. M., Laakkonen, M. L., et al. Effects of the Finnish Alzheimer disease exercise trial (FINALEX): a randomized controlled trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2013b; 173(10): 894–901.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Reid, K. F., Martin, K. I., Doros, G., et al. Comparative effects of light or heavy resistance power training for improving lower extremity power and physical performance in mobility-limited older adults. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2015; 70(3): 374–80.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Salpakoski, A., Törmäkangas, T., Edgren, J., et al. Effects of a multicomponent home-based physical rehabilitation program on mobility recovery after hip fracture: a randomized controlled trial. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2014; 15(5): 361–8.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Savela, S., Komulainen, P., Sipilä, S., Strandberg, T. Physical activity of the elderly – what kind of and what for? (in Finnish). Duodecim. 2015; 131(18): 1719–25.Google Scholar
Savela, S. L., Koistinen, P., Stenholm, S., et al. Leisure-time physical activity in midlife is related to old age frailty. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2013; 68(11): 1433–8.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Singh, M. A. Exercise comes of age: rationale and recommendations for a geriatric exercise prescription. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2002; 57(5): M262–82.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Singh, N. A., Stavrinos, T. M., Scarbek, Y., et al. A randomized controlled trial of high versus low intensity weight training versus general practitioner care for clinical depression in older adults. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2005; 60(6): 768–76.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sink, K. M., Espeland, M. A., Castro, C. M., et al. Effect of a 24-month physical activity intervention vs health education on cognitive outcomes in sedentary older adults: the LIFE randomized trial. JAMA. 2015; 314(8): 781–90.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Smith, P. J., Blumenthal, J. A., Hoffman, B. M., et al. Aerobic exercise and neurocognitive performance: a meta-analytic review of randomized controlled trials. Psychosom Med. 2010; 72(3): 239–52.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Stessman, J., Hammerman-Rozenberg, R., Cohen, A., et al. Physical activity, function, and longevity among the very old. Arch Intern Med. 2009; 169(16): 1476–83.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Strandberg, T. E., Pitkälä, K. H., Tilvis, R. S. Frailty in older people. Eur Geriatr Med. 2011; 2: 344–55.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Strawbridge, W. J., Deleger, S., Roberts, R. E., et al. Physical activity reduces the risk of subsequent depression for older adults. Am J Epidemiol. 2002; 156(4): 328–34.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Van Roie, E., Delecluse, C., Coudyzer, W., et al. Strength training at high versus low external resistance in older adults: effects on muscle volume, muscle strength, and force-velocity characteristics. Exp Gerontol. 2013; 48(11): 1351–61.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Weening-Dijksterhuis, E., de Greef, M. H., Scherder, E. J., et al. Frail institutionalized older persons: A comprehensive review on physical exercise, physical fitness, activities of daily living, and quality-of-life. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2011; 90(2): 156–68.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
WHO. World Report on Ageing and Health. 2015. http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/186463/1/9789240694811_eng.pdfGoogle Scholar
WHO. Global recommendations on physical activity for health. World Health Organization 2010. ISBN 978 92 4 159 997 9.Google Scholar
Windle, G., Hughes, D., Linck, P., et al. Is exercise effective in promoting mental well-being in older age? A systematic review. Aging Ment Health. 2010; 14(6): 652–69.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure coreplatform@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×