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Cited by 953Physical Activity and HealthAging, Health, and DisabilityBalance, Gait, and Falls Prevention

Physical activity and functional limitations in older adults: a systematic review related to Canada's Physical Activity Guidelines

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Paterson, Donald H, Warburton, Darren ER·2010·International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
DOI 10.1186/1479-5868-7-38PMC PMC2882898
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: The purpose was to conduct systematic reviews of the relationship between physical activity of healthy community-dwelling older (>65 years) adults and outcomes of functional limitations, disability, or loss of independence. METHODS: Prospective cohort studies with an outcome related to functional independence or to cognitive function were searched, as well as exercise training interventions that reported a functional outcome. Electronic database search strategies were used to identify citations which were screened (title and abstract) for inclusion. Included articles were reviewed to complete standardized data extraction tables, and assess study quality. An established system of assessing the level and grade of evidence for recommendations was employed. RESULTS: Sixty-six studies met inclusion criteria for the relationship between physical activity and functional independence, and 34 were included with a cognitive function outcome. Greater physical activity of an aerobic nature (categorized by a variety of methods) was associated with higher functional status (expressed by a host of outcome measures) in older age. For functional independence, moderate (and high) levels of physical activity appeared effective in conferring a reduced risk (odds ratio ~0.5) of functional limitations or disability. Limitation in higher level performance outcomes was reduced (odds ratio ~0.5) with vigorous (or high) activity with an apparent dose-response of moderate through to high activity. Exercise training interventions (including aerobic and resistance) of older adults showed improvement in physiological and functional measures, and suggestion of longer-term reduction in incidence of mobility disability. A relatively high level of physical activity was related to better cognitive function and reduced risk of developing dementia; however, there were mixed results of the effects of exercise interventions on cognitive function indices. CONCLUSIONS: There is a consistency of findings across studies and a range of outcome measures related to functional independence; regular aerobic activity and short-term exercise programmes confer a reduced risk of functional limitations and disability in older age. Although a precise characterization of a minimal or effective physical activity dose to maintain functional independence is difficult, it appears moderate to higher levels of activity are effective and there may be a threshold of at least moderate activity for significant outcomes.

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Research works printed but not linked: 11

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  6. Paterson D Taylor A, Ecclestone N, Jones G, Paterson D Fit to be active: importance of aerobic function for healthy aging Proceedings from the ALCOA Forum on Older Adults and Active Living: 13-16 May 1999; London, Ontario 1999 Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging 44 55
  7. Tager I Haight T Sternfeld B Yu A Lann M van der Effects of physical activity and body composition on functional limitation in the elderly: application of the marginal structural model Epidemiology 2004 15 479 493 10.1097/01.ede.0000128401.55545.c6 15232410 · DOI · Paper page
  8. Haveman-Nies A de Groot L van Staveren W Relation of dietary quality, physical activity, and smoking habits to 10-year changes in health status in older Europeans in the SENECA study Am J Public Health 2003 93 318 323 10.2105/AJPH.93.2.318 12554593 PMC1447737 · DOI
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Authors
Paterson, D. H., & Warburton, D. E.
Affiliations
  • Western University (CA)
  • University of British Columbia (CA)
Corresponding author
Paterson, Donald H
ORCID
Warburton, Darren ER
Venue
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2010
Volume
7
Issue
1
Pages
38
ISSN
1479-5868 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1186/1479-5868-7-38
PMC
PMC2882898
OpenAlex
W2166308329
Cited by
953
References
131
Citations by year
2026: 60 · 2025: 56 · 2024: 69 · 2023: 63 · 2022: 68 · 2021: 86 · 2020: 76 · 2019: 58 · 2018: 71 · 2017: 66 · 2016: 63 · 2015: 52 · 2014: 61 · 2013: 42 · 2012: 34
FWCI
3.19
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • cIRcle (University of British Columbia) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Scholarship@Western (Western University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • Public Health Agency of Canada
  • Michael Smith Health Research BC
  • Public Health Agency
  • Canadian Institutes of Health Research
  • Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Aging, Health, and Disability
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation › Balance, Gait, and Falls Prevention
Keywords
physical activity, functional independence, functional limitations, disability, older adults, aerobic exercise, resistance training, exercise intervention, cognitive function, dementia risk, mobility impairment, dose-response relationship, physical activity guidelines

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