 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Caryn D. Etkin, MPH, Gail M. Huber, MHPE, PT, Lena Hatchett, PhD, Thomas Prohaska, PhD, and Susan L. Hughes, DSW. Center for Research on Health and Aging, University of Illinois at Chicago, 850 W. Jackson (M/C 275), Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60607, 312-413-9833, cetkin1@uic.edu
Exercise has been shown to be an effective means to delay the onset or reduce the severity of chronic illness and associated co-morbidities among older adults. Balance and mobility impairments have the potential to limit the functional abilities of older adults with and without chronic illnesses. The purpose of this study is to determine if balance and mobility can be improved with exercise for older adults. We conducted an evidence-based review of over 2,400 articles pertaining to older adults and exercise. All studies examining the effects of physical activity/exercise published in English from 1980-2000 with subjects having a mean age greater than or equal to 60 were reviewed. Studies were excluded if they had no analysis by older age group; were reviews/editorials; had no outcomes reported for exercise; interventions other than exercise accounted for outcomes; or outcomes had previously been reported elsewhere. Of the 673 annotated studies, 67 Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) examined mobility outcomes and 28 RCTs examined balance outcomes. Mobility outcomes included but were not limited to: walk tests, gait measures, timed chair rise, and stair climb. Balance outcomes included static and dynamic measures with and without perturbation, and scaled instruments. Overall, there was sufficient evidence that physical activity or exercise impacts some measures of mobility. However, there was insufficient evidence to suggest that exercise impacts balance. Finally, we will discuss suggestions to improve interventions and the quality of the literature in this area.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Exercise, Elderly
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.