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 .
Associations of changes in exercise level with subsequent disability among seniors: a 16-year longitudinal study.
BACKGROUND The effect of changes in physical exercise on progression of  musculoskeletal disability in seniors has rarely been studied . METHODS We studied a prospect i ve cohort annually from 1984 to 2000 using the Health Assessment Question naire Disability Index ( HAQ-DI ) .  The cohort included 549 participants , 73 % men , with average end-of- study age of 74 years . At baseline and at the end of the study , participants were classified as " High " or " Low " vigorous exercisers using a cut-point of 60 min/wk . Four groups were formed : " Sedentary " ( Low-->Low ; N = 71 ) , " Exercise Increasers " ( Low-->High ; N = 27 ) , " Exercise Decreasers " ( High-->Low ; N = 73 ) , and " Exercisers " ( High-->High ; N = 378 ) . The primary dependent variable was change in HAQ-DI score ( scored 0 - 3 ) from 1984 to 2000 . Multivariate statistical adjustments using analysis of covariance included age , gender , and changes in three risk factors , body mass index , smoking status , and number of comorbid conditions . Participants also prospect ively provided reasons for exercise changes . RESULTS At baseline , Sedentary and Increasers averaged little exercise ( 16 and 22 exercise min/wk ) , whereas Exercisers and Decreasers averaged over 10 times more ( 285 and 212 exercise min/wk ; p < .001 ) . All groups had low initial HAQ-DI scores , ranging from 0.03 to 0.08 . Increasers and Exercisers achieved the smallest increments in HAQ-DI score ( 0.17 and 0.11 ) over 16 years , whereas Decreasers and Sedentary fared more poorly ( increments 0.27 and 0.37 ) . Changes in HAQ-DI score for Increasers compared to Sedentary were significantly more favorable ( p < .05 ) even after multivariate statistical adjustment . CONCLUSIONS Inactive participants who increased exercise achieved excellent end-of- study values with increments in disability similar to those participants who were more active throughout . These results suggest a beneficial effect of exercise , even when begun later in life , on postponement of disability
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 .