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 .
Prevention of falls in the elderly trial (PROFET): a randomised controlled trial
BACKGROUND Falls in elderly people are a common presenting complaint to accident and emergency departments . Current practice commonly focuses on the injury , with little systematic assessment of the underlying cause , functional consequences , and possibilities for future prevention . We undertook a r and omised controlled study to assess the benefit of a structured inderdisciplinary assessment of people who have fallen in terms of further falls . METHODS Eligible patients were aged 65 years and older , lived in the community , and presented to an accident and emergency department with a fall . Patients assigned to the intervention group ( n=184 ) underwent a detailed medical and occupational-therapy assessment with referral to relevant services if indicated ; those assigned to the control group ( n=213 ) received usual care only . The analyses were by intention to treat . Follow-up data were collected every 4 months for 1 year . FINDINGS At 12-month follow-up , 77 % of both groups remained in the study . The total reported number of falls during this period was 183 in the intervention group compared with 510 in the control group ( p=0.0002 ) . The risk of falling was significantly reduced in the intervention group ( odds ratio 0.39 [ 95 % CI 0.23 - 0.66 ] ) as was the risk of recurrent falls ( 0.33 [ 0.16 - 0.68 ] ) . In addition , the odds of admission to hospital were lower in the intervention group ( 0.61 [ 0.35 - 1.05 ] ) whereas the decline in Barthel score with time was greater in the control group ( p<0.00001 ) . INTERPRETATION The study shows that an interdisciplinary approach to this high-risk population can significantly decrease the risk of further falls and limit functional impairment
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 .