Exercise interventions for older adults: a systematic review of meta-analyses

Review written by Dr Mariana Wingood info

Key Points

  1. For the greatest improvements in muscle strength it is recommended that patients perform resistance training.
All key points available for members only
Start free trial Icon
Or log in here

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Among older adults, performing the recommended amount of physical activity can slow or reverse age-related decline and prevent non-communicable disease, morbidity, hospitalizations, institutionalization, and mortality (1,2). The current physical activity recommendations for older adults include a weekly aerobic, strengthening, and balance component. See Box 1 for more details (3).

Image

It is important to note that exercise is a subset of physical activity, and it is defined as a planned, structured, and repeated behavior aimed to maintain or improve components of physical fitness (4). Exercise comes in many forms - variable in mode, frequency, intensity, and duration - making it difficult to compare results.

The authors of this paper aimed to 1) report on the characteristics of exercise interventions for older adults; 2) investigate the outcome parameters; and 3) rank the interventions linked to the greatest improvements in outcome parameters.

Exercise is defined as a planned, structured, and repeated behavior aimed to maintain or improve components of physical fitness.
bulb
In order for optimal benefits to be obtained from exercise, it needs to be performed at an appropriate intensity, duration, and frequency for the patient in front of you.

METHODS

Study Design: Systematic review of meta-analyses

Start free trial Icon
to unlock full access to this review and 1109 more
Or log in here
Trustpilot