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 .
Association Between Lifestyle Factors and Mental Health Measures Among Community-Dwelling Older Women
Objective : To investigate the association between potentially modifiable lifestyle factors and cognitive abilities/depressive symptoms in community-dwelling women aged 70 years and over . Method : Cross-sectional study of community-dwelling women aged 70 years and over ( n = 278 ; mean age = 74.6 years ) .  Lifestyle variables assessed included smoking , alcohol consumption , physical activity , nutrition and education . The mental health measures of interest were depression , anxiety , quality of life and cognitive function , as assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory ( BDI ) , Beck Anxiety Inventory ( BAI ) , SF-36 , and the Cambridge Cognitive Examination for Mental Disorders of the Elderly ( CAMCOG ) , respectively . Results : Physically active women were half as likely to be depressed ( BDI score ≥ 10 ) and anxious ( BAI score ≥ 8) when compared to their physically inactive counterparts ( OR = 0.5 , 95 % CI = 0.3–0.8 for both , adjusted for marital status and smoking in the case of depression ) . Having ever smoked more than 20 cigarettes per day was associated with increased risk of depression ( OR = 2.8 , 95 % CI = 1.4–5.5 , adjusted for marital status and physical activity ) . Moderate alcohol use was associated with increased likelihood of having a CAMCOG score within the highest 50 percentile ( OR = 2.0 , 95 % CI = 1.1–3.5 , adjusted for age and education ) , as was more than minimum statutory education ( OR = 2.0 , 95 % CI = 1.1–3.5 , adjusted for age and alcohol consumption ) . There was no obvious association between vitamin B12/folate deficiency or obesity with any of the measures of interest . Conclusions : The results of this study are consistent with the hypothesis that depression is directly associated with heavy smoking and inversely associated with physical activity . They also support the idea that non-harmful alcohol consumption is associated with better cognitive performance . R and omised clinical trials should be now design ed to clarify whether management of lifestyle factors reduces the incidence of mood disorders and cognitive impairment in later life
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 .