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 .
Fat mass rather than muscle strength is the major determinant of physical function and disability in postmenopausal women younger than 75 years of age
Objective : Few studies have investigated the relationships between body composition , functional ability , and age-related disability in postmenopausal women . We investigated the relative role of fat mass , lean mass , and muscle strength in the development of disability in a group of healthy postmenopausal women younger than 75 years . Design : We performed a cross-sectional study among 396 independently living women aged 56 - 73 years , r and omly selected between 8 and 30 years after menopause .  Lean mass and fat mass were assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry . Muscle strength ( grip and leg extensors ) was assessed using dynamometry . Functional ability was estimated by Physical Performance Score , physical activity during the preceding year , and impairment in activities of daily living . Results : Of the participants , 43.7 % were overweight ( 25 ≥ BMI < 30 kg/m2 ) , and 17.7 % were obese ( BM I ≥ 30 kg/m2 ) . Higher muscle strength was observed with increasing lean body mass , and participants with higher muscle strength scored better in the physical performance score and activities of daily living . Higher fat mass was significantly associated with a lower physical performance score , lower physical activity , and a higher frequency of disability . Increasing fat mass was associated with increasing lean mass and decreasing lean/fat ratio . The increase in lean mass and muscle strength associated with higher fat mass was mainly localized in the legs . Conclusions : Our results support the role of fat mass as the primary risk marker for disability , which might later accelerate by the age-related decrease in lean mass and the development of sarcopenia after the age of 75 years
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 .