A large clinical trial has proven what many already believe – Moderate activity can increase mobility and independence in seniors.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh conducted the study to determine how aerobic, resistance and flexibility exercises reduced the risk of minor and major mobility disability. They said it was the largest clinical trial on the issue to date.
“Until this study, we didn’t have the proof necessary to say that daily exercise, sustained over several years, truly can prevent loss of mobility,” said Anne Newman, chair of the Department of Epidemiology in Pitt’s Graduate School of Public Health. “Doctors can now feel confident that moderate physical activity improves the independence and mobility of older adults.”
The Study
For their study, researchers placed 1,635 seniors between the ages of 70 and 89 who could walk at least a quarter of a mile into either an exercise program or a health education group. The exercise group walked for 2.5 hours a week, while the education group did some stretches and learned about the importance of exercise. The seniors participated in the program for two years, with researchers tracking vitals information and mobility at six-month intervals.
After collecting the data, researchers found:
- Moderate physical activity helped seniors maintain their ability to walk at an 18 percent higher rate than adults who didn’t exercise.
- The exercise group had a 28 percent reduction in the number of people who permanently lost the ability to walk easily.
- The benefit of exercise was proportionately greater for seniors who started the study with the lowest physical function.
- Seniors in the exercise group were more likely to suffer a “serious adverse event” than those in the education group (49.4 percent to 45.7 percent.) “We had expected to see fewer events in the more active group,” said Dr. Newman. “The fact that we did not could be an unmasking of symptoms,” or it could be because the more active group had more opportunities to report adverse events.
Newman concluded that the study proves exercise is important to maintain mobility, especially for older adults.
“This large impact on reducing persistent disability is important,” she said. “Beyond simply maintaining mobility, this shows that we can repair a deficit through physical activity.”
Dr. Silverman comments
We’ve done plenty of blogs on the importance of exercise. This is just another piece of the puzzle. Exercise is extremely important for seniors to keep their body systems working properly. That said, seniors should heed certain precautions:
1) Never overdue it – Overstressing your body can do more harm than good.
2) Prepare for the weather – Don’t go outside if it’s too hot or cold out. Also, be sure to protect your skin from harmful rays by dressing appropriately and wearing sunscreen.
3. Use the buddy system – In the event that a serious adverse event happens, you won’t want to be alone. Walk with a partner if possible, and at a minimum let someone know where you’re going and when they can expect you back.
Related source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette