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
Background The purpose was to conduct systematic review s of the relationship between physical activity of healthy community-dwelling older ( > 65 years ) adults and outcomes of  functional limitations , disability , or loss of independence .
Physical activity and leg strength predict decline in mobility performance in older persons.
OBJECTIVES To assess the extent to which physical activity and leg strength are associated with change in mobility  in older persons . DESIGN Prospect i ve , observational cohort study . SETTING Retirement communities across the Chicago metropolitan area participating in the Rush Memory and Aging Project . PARTICIPANTS Eight hundred eighty-six ambulatory older persons without dementia . MEASUREMENT Rate of change in mobility . RESULTS In a linear mixed-effects model that controlled for age , sex , education , and a term for baseline physical activity , a higher level of physical activity was associated with a slower rate of mobility decline ( estimate=0.006 , st and ard error (SE)=0.003 , P=.03 ) ; each additional hour of physical activity at baseline was associated with an approximately 3 % decrease in the rate of mobility decline . In a similar model , a higher level of baseline leg strength was associated with a slower rate of mobility decline ( estimate=0.031 , SE=0.132 , P=.02 ) ; each additional unit of leg strength at baseline was associated with an approximately 20 % decrease in the rate of mobility decline . In a final model , which included terms for physical activity and leg strength together , both were associated with decline in mobility . Furthermore , both remained associated with mobility even after controlling for body composition , balance , pulmonary function , cognition , history of joint pain , cardiovascular diseases and risk factors , and medications . CONCLUSION Physical activity and leg strength are relatively independent predictors of mobility decline  in older persons . Although physical activity may improve strength , the beneficial effect of physical activity on mobility is likely to involve other pathways
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
Background The purpose was to conduct systematic review s of the relationship between physical activity of healthy community-dwelling older ( > 65 years ) adults and outcomes of  functional limitations , disability , or loss of independence .