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 .
Physical activity in an ageing population.
UNLABELLED This review over previously published articles , describes physical activity changes during ageing from age 50 - 85 in the 1914-cohort in Glostrup , Denmark , and analyses the association between physical activity and mortality , myocardial infa rct ion , hip fractures and functional ability .  The 1914-cohort in Glostrup was examined at age 50 in 1964 and re-examined 1974 , 1984 , 1989 , 1994 and 1999 . Some analyses were based on pooled data ( CCPPS : Copenhagen Centre for Prospect i ve Population Studies ) from three longitudinal population studies conducted in Copenhagen , Denmark : The Copenhagen County Centre for Preventive Medicine in Glostrup , The Copenhagen City Heart Study and The Copenhagen Male Study .  Physical activity of work and leisure time was classified into four levels based on questions originally constructed by Saltin and Grimby . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES all-cause mortality , fatal and non-fatal myocardial infa rct ion , hip fracture and functional ability ( Avlund mobility index of dependency ) . The lifetime risk from a  sedentary leisure time  was analysed in multivariate regression analyses controlling for covariates describing gender , age , life style , education and chronic diseases . Less than one third of the population had a sedentary leisure time . Physical activity definitely influenced health and quality of life over the life course in a positive way : compared to the group of inactive men and women , the mortality was about 60 % , the incidence of myocardial infa rct ion 70 % and the incidence of hip fractures 75 % in the moderate active groups . On top the physically active persons gained independency in activities of daily living
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 .