Conclusions The current literature suggests the effectiveness of low-intensity exercise on improved physical and cognitive health for older adults .
It may be a desired intensity level in promoting health among older adults with better compliance , lower risk of injuries , and long-term sustainability
Background It is well known that physical exercise is important to promote physical and cognitive health in older population .
However , inconsistent research findings were shown regarding exercise intensity , particularly on whether low-intensity exercise ( 1.5 metabolic equivalent tasks ( METs ) to 3.0 METs ) can improve physical and cognitive health of older adults .
This systematic review aim ed to fill this research gap .
The objective of this study is to conduct a systematic review of the effectiveness of low-intensity exercise interventions on physical and cognitive health of older adults .
The effects of high-intensity and low-intensity cycle ergometry in older adults with knee osteoarthritis.
BACKGROUND People with osteoarthritis ( OA ) of the knee experience pain and deconditioning that lead to disability . This study challenged the clinical belief that repetitive lower extremity exercise is not indicated in persons with knee OA . The effects of high-intensity and low-intensity stationary cycling on functional status , gait , overall and acute pain , and aerobic capacity were examined . METHODS Thirty-nine adults ( 71+/-6.9 years old ) with complaints of knee pain and diagnosis of OA were r and omized to either a high-intensity ( 70 % heart rate reserve [ HRR ] ) or low-intensity ( 40 % HRR ) exercise group for 10 weeks of stationary cycling . Participants cycled for 25 minutes , 3 times per week . Before and after the exercise intervention they completed the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale 2 for overall pain assessment , underwent timed chair rise , 6-minute walk test , gait , and  grade d exercise treadmill tests . Acute pain was reported daily with a visual analog scale and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index scale . RESULTS Analysis of variance revealed that participants in both groups significantly improved in the timed chair rise , in the 6-minute walk test , in the range of walking speeds , in the amount of overall pain relief , and in aerobic capacity . No differences between groups were found . Daily pain reports suggested that cycling did not increase acute pain in either group . CONCLUSIONS Cycling may be considered as an alternative exercise modality for patients with knee OA .  Low-intensity cycling was as effective as high-intensity cycling in improving function and gait , decreasing pain , and increasing aerobic capacity
Conclusions The current literature suggests the effectiveness of low-intensity exercise on improved physical and cognitive health for older adults .
It may be a desired intensity level in promoting health among older adults with better compliance , lower risk of injuries , and long-term sustainability
Background It is well known that physical exercise is important to promote physical and cognitive health in older population .
However , inconsistent research findings were shown regarding exercise intensity , particularly on whether low-intensity exercise ( 1.5 metabolic equivalent tasks ( METs ) to 3.0 METs ) can improve physical and cognitive health of older adults .
This systematic review aim ed to fill this research gap .
The objective of this study is to conduct a systematic review of the effectiveness of low-intensity exercise interventions on physical and cognitive health of older adults .