Community-based group physical activity and/or nutrition interventions to promote mobility in older adults: an umbrella review

Abstract

Background Physical activity and a healthy diet are important in helping to maintain mobility with aging. This umbrella review aims to identify group-based physical activity and/or nutrition interventions for community-dwelling older adults that improve mobility-related outcomes. Methods Five electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, Sociological Abstracts) were searched from inception to December 2021. Eligibility criteria included systematic reviews exploring the effectiveness of physical activity or structured exercise, alone or combined with nutrition interventions on mobility-related outcomes (aerobic capacity, physical function, balance, falls/safety, muscle strength, health-related quality of life/wellbeing). Interventions must have been delivered in a group setting to community-dwelling older adults aged 55+. Two reviewers independently performed eligibility screening, critical appraisal (using AMSTAR 2) and data extraction. The GRADE approach was used to reflect the certainty of evidence based on the size of the effect within each mobility-related outcome category. Older adult/provider research partners informed data synthesis and results presentation. Results In total, 62 systematic reviews (1 high, 21 moderate, 40 low/critically low quality) were identified; 53 included physical activity only, and nine included both physical activity and nutritional supplements. No reviews included nutrition interventions alone. Combined aerobic/resistance, general physical activity, and mind-body exercise all improved physical function and balance (moderate-high certainty). Aerobic/resistance training improved aerobic capacity (high certainty). Resistance training and general physical activity improved muscle strength (moderate certainty). Aerobic/resistance training and general physical activity are likely to reduce falls among older adults (moderate certainty). There was no evidence of benefit for nutritional supplementation with physical activity. Conclusions Group-based physical activity interventions that combine aerobic and resistance, general PA and mind-body exercise can improve measures of mobility in community-dwelling older adults. We found no reviews focused on nutrition only, highlighting a gap in the literature.

The multifaceted benefits of walking for healthy aging: from Blue Zones to molecular mechanisms

“…Moreover, nutrition therapy has emerged as a promising approach to increasing cardiorespiratory fitness levels among diverse populations with exercise limitations, including those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, obesity, sarcopenia, and frailty [14,[176][177][178][179][180][181]. By combining physical activity and optimal nutrition, individuals can optimize their overall health, promote healthy aging, and enhance their quality of life [182][183][184][185][186][187][188][189][190][191].…”

Evaluating the impact of engaging older adults and service providers as research partners in the co-design of a community mobility-promoting program: A multi-method developmental evaluation study

“…During the evaluation period, SGC members worked with researchers to provide input to a variety of knowledge translation products including infographics [47,48], manuscripts [49,50], training and program materials, research briefs [51,52], and the study website. SGC members have co-authored and co-presented webinars and academic conference presentations with EMBOLDEN researchers.…”

Lifestyle Variation among the Elderly: Do Nutritional Knowledge and Diet Quality Differ When the Other Lifestyle Components Are Similar?

“…The residents of rural areas demonstrated significantly more healthy lifestyles in terms of physical activity and diet than the residents of cities [7]. Moreover, women are more likely than men to lead healthy lifestyles by means of following more balanced and healthy diets [8], and consuming fewer stimulants such as tobacco and alcohol [1]. The differences were also found in terms of education, with generally lower education being associated with less healthy behaviors [9,10].…”

“…The fact that people live longer has brought along the desire to remain healthy in later life while the lifestyles of older people are deteriorating. At the same time, there is substantial evidence from epidemiological studies among older adults that individual lifestyle factors, including physical activity, alcohol consumption, smoking, and body weight, are strongly associated with their health and functioning [1][2][3][4]. Leading a healthy lifestyle is paired with a slower decline in physical, psychological, cognitive, and social functioning with aging [4].…”

“…There are still not enough observational and intervention studies taking into account more lifestyle elements at the same time to ensure more comprehensive results [20][21][22]. Instead, the available results indicate that all lifestyle elements are bilaterally correlated and that their impact on health is a comprehensive effect [1,22,23]. Yet, specific combinations of lifestyle risk behaviors may be more harmful than individual behaviors [24].…”