Exercise interventions have small clinical benefits on  PA  levels in community-dwelling older adults , with a decline in the observed improvement after six months of the intervention cessation
Exercise is a form of physical activity ( PA ) .
PA is an important marker of health and quality of life in older adults .
The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature to assess the effect of exercise-based interventions on an at least six-month follow up PA measure , and to describe the specific strategies implemented during the intervention to strengthen the sustainability of PA in community-dwelling 65 + year-old adults .
Long-term effects of exercise training on physical activity level and quality of life in elderly coronary patients--a three- to six-year follow-up.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Physical activity and exercise as part of cardiac rehabilitation after an acute coronary event improves exercise capacity and quality of life in most patients . The aim of the present study was to evaluate physical activity level , health-related quality of life ( HRQL ) and perceived health three to six years after an acute myocardial infa rct ion or an episode of unstable angina pectoris in elderly patients and compare this to earlier follow-up examination data . METHOD STUDY DESIGN three to six years ( mean 4.4 years ) after r and omization a question naire about physical activity level , HRQL and perceived health was mailed to all subjects alive ( n = 93 ) ( response rate 96 % ) . The original study population consisted of 101 patients aged > or = 65 years admitted to the Coronary Care Unit at the Karolinska Hospital because of an acute coronary event between 1994 and 1997 . The patients were r and omized to either a three-month period of aerobic group training three times a week ( n = 50 ; acute myocardial infa rct ion 29 , unstable angina pectoris 21 ) or served as control subjects ( n = 51 ; acute myocardial infa rct ion 31 , unstable angina pectoris 20 ) . RESULTS Since the one-year follow-up examination eight subjects had died : five in the intervention group and three in the control group . At r and omization , the level of physical activity level was similar in the two groups . Those in the intervention group improved their level of physical activity significantly over time ( p = 0.05 ) in contrast to the control group . Measurements of HRQL showed no statistical difference between the groups by use of the EuroQol instrument . However , a small advantage for the intervention group measured over time was noted . CONCLUSION It is important to include elderly patients in cardiac rehabilitation programmes after an acute coronary event , since even a short period of supervised exercise training has the potential to positively influence physical activity level for as long as three to six years
Exercise interventions have small clinical benefits on  PA  levels in community-dwelling older adults , with a decline in the observed improvement after six months of the intervention cessation
Exercise is a form of physical activity ( PA ) .
PA is an important marker of health and quality of life in older adults .
The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature to assess the effect of exercise-based interventions on an at least six-month follow up PA measure , and to describe the specific strategies implemented during the intervention to strengthen the sustainability of PA in community-dwelling 65 + year-old adults .