Is exercise used as medicine? Association of meeting strength training guidelines and functional limitations among older US adults

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To determine the association between meeting strength training (ST) guidelines (≥ 2 times per week) and the presence of functional limitations among older adults. METHODS This cross-sectional study used data from older adult participants (n=6,763) of the National Health Interview Survey conducted in 2011 in the United States. RESULTS Overall, 16.1% of older adults reported meeting ST guidelines. For each of nine functional limitations, those with the limitation were less likely to meet ST recommendations than those without the limitation. For example, 20.0% of those who reported no difficulty walking one-quarter mile met ST guidelines, versus only 10.1% of those who reported difficulty (p<.001). In sum, 21.7% of those with no limitations (33.7% of sample) met ST guidelines, versus only 15.9% of those reporting 1–4 limitations (38.5% of sample) and 9.8% of those reporting 5–9 limitations (27.8% of sample) (p<.001). CONCLUSION Strength training is uncommon among older adults and even less common among those who need it the most. The potential for ST to improve the public’s health is therefore substantial, as those who have the most to gain from ST participate the least.

Health condition and physical function as predictors of adherence in long-term strength and balance training among community-dwelling older adults

“…In addition, higher independence in IADLs predicted high adherence. This longitudinal study with objective measures confirms the recently reported cross-sectional relationship that those with functional limitations are less likely to meet the recommendations for strength training (Kraschnewski et al, 2014).…”

Health behaviour change theory meets falls prevention: Feasibility of a habit-based balance and strength exercise intervention for older adults

“…However despite substantial knowledge regarding the benefits of regular physical activity, many older adults are not meeting the guidelines for physical activity (Ashe, Miller, Eng, & Noreau, 2009). Importantly even fewer older adults partake of recommended balance and/or strength regimens on a regular basis (Kraschnewski et al, 2014;Vezina, DerAnanian, Greenberg, & Kurka, 2014). Therefore, comprehensive yet feasible, effective programs need to be developed to increase the uptake.…”

Aerobic Physical Fitness and Recreational Sports Participation After Total Knee Arthroplasty

“…62 The proportion of waking time spent sedentary rose with age, from 55% (7.7 hours/day) in those 20 to 29 years of age to 67% (9.6 hours/day) in those 70 to 79 years old. In a cohort of 6763 individuals aged 65 years and older, Kraschnewski et al 34 showed that only 18.8% of men and 14% of women met ACSM strength training recommendations. Again, whether the data from our study and those from control populations regarding problems achieving PA guidelines were strictly related to aging or to other factors is unclear and worthy of future study.…”