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 .
Activity adherence and physical function in older adults with functional limitations.
PURPOSE Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders Pilot ( LIFE-P ) was a trial to examine the effects of a physical activity intervention ( PA ) compared with a health education control ( SA ) on measures of disability risk in sedentary older adults ( N = 424 ) . We examined adherence to the LIFE-P PA intervention for the first 12 months of the trial . METHODS The PA intervention consisted of walking , strength , flexibility , and balance training supplemented with behavioral skills training modules , and it used a phased , center-based schedule of adoption ( 3x wk(-1 ) , weeks 1 - 8 ) , transition ( 2x wk(-1 ) , weeks 9 - 24 ) , and maintenance ( 1x wk(-1 ) , weeks 25 to end of trial ) while transitioning to primarily home-based physical activity . SA consisted of weekly ( weeks 1 - 26 ) transitioning to monthly health education workshops . RESULTS Participation in moderate-intensity physical activity increased from baseline to months 6 and 12 in PA compared with SA ( P < 0.001 ) . At 12 months , PA participants who reported > or = 150 min x wk(-1 ) of moderate activity demonstrated a significantly greater improvement in their Short Physical Performance Battery score compared with participants who reported < 150 min.wk of moderate activity ( P < 0.017 ) . For the PA arm , center-based attendance was 76.3 + /- 24.5 , 65.4 + /- 28.6 , and 49.8 + /- 35.8 % in the adoption , transition , and maintenance phases , respectively . CONCLUSIONS Adherence to physical activity in LIFE-P was associated with greater improvement in SPPB score and was consistent with adherence in physical activity trials of shorter duration in this subgroup of older adults . Older individuals at risk for disability can adhere to a regular program of physical activity in a long-term r and omized trial
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 .