Our results show that intensive ET can improve measures of physical function and preclinical disability in older adults who have impairments in physical performance and oxygen uptake and are not taking hormone replacement therapy better than a low-intensity home exercise program.
To examine the effects of aging on human skeletal muscle, 10 men and 10 women, 64 +/- 1 yr old (Mean +/- SE), and 10 men and 10 women, 24 +/- 1 yr old, were studied. All subjects were sedentary nonsmokers who were carefully screened for latent cardiovascular, metabolic, or musculoskeletal disease. Needle biopsy samples were obtained from the lateral gastrocnemius muscle and examined using histochemical and biochemical techniques. The percentage of Type I, Type IIa, and Type IIb fibers did not differ with age. However, Type I fibers occupied a larger percent of total muscle area in the older men and women (60.6 +/- 2.6 vs 53.6 +/- 2.0%; p less than .05), because Type IIa and Type IIb fibers were 13-31% smaller (p less than .001) in these subjects. Muscle capillarization and mitochondrial enzyme (i.e., succinate dehydrogenase, citrate synthase, and beta-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase) activities were also approximately 25% lower (p less than .001-.05) in the old subjects. Although it is difficult to determine whether these differences are due to aging itself or are simply due to inactivity, these structural and biochemical changes probably contribute to the decreases in muscle mass, strength, and endurance often observed in healthy but sedentary older men and women.
Physical activity offers one of the greatest opportunities for people to extend years of active independent life and reduce functional limitations. The article identifies key practices for promoting physical activity in older adults, with a focus on those with chronic disease or low fitness and those with low levels of physical activity. Key practices identified: (a) A multidimensional activity program that includes endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility training is optimal for health and functional benefits; (b) principles of behavior change including social support, self-efficacy, active choices, health contracts, assurances of safety, and positive reinforcement enhance adherence; (c) manage risk by beginning at low intensity but gradually increasing to moderate physical activity, which has a better risk:benefit ratio and should be the goal for older adults; (d) an emergency procedure plan is prudent for community-based programs; and (e) monitoring aerobic intensity is important for progression and motivation. Selected content review of physical activity programming from major organizations and institutions is provided.
Physical activity offers one of the greatest opportunities for people to extend years of active independent life and reduce functional limitations. The purpose of this paper is to identify key practices for promoting physical activity in older adults, with a focus on older adults with chronic disease or low fitness and those with low levels of physical activity. Key practices identified in promotion activity in older adults include:(1) a multidimensional activity program that includes endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility training is optimal for health and functional benefits; (2) principles of behavior change, including social support, selfefficacy, active choices, health contracts, assurances of safety, and positive reinforcement, enhance adherence;(3) management of risk by beginning at low intensity but gradually increasing to moderate physical activity which has a better risk/benefit ratio should be the goal for older adults; (4) an emergency procedure plan is prudent for community-based programs; and (5) monitoring aerobic intensity is important for progression and for motivation. Selected content reviews of physical activity programming from major organizations and institutions are provided. Regular participation in physical activity is one of the most effective ways for older adults, including those with disabilities, to help prevent chronic disease, promote independence, and increase quality of life in old age.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.