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 and functional status in community-dwelling older women: a 14-year prospective study.
BACKGROUND Short-term prospect i ve studies have shown physical activity to be related to functional status . To our knowledge , the association between physical activity levels and functional status over a longer period has not been established . METHODS Two hundred twenty-nine older women ( mean age , 74.2 years ) who were involved in a r and omized controlled walking intervention from 1982 to 1985 were subsequently followed up until December 1999 .  Physical activity  was assessed in 1985 , 1995 , and 1999 using a physical activity question naire and a physical activity monitor . In 1999 , functional status was assessed by self-report and performance-based measures . RESULTS Subjective and objective measures of physical activity in 1985 independently predicted gait speed in 1999 after controlling for age , chronic conditions , and activity limitation ( subjective model-adjusted R2 = 0.09 [ P=.03 ] ; and objective model-adjusted R2 = 0.13 [ P=.008 ] ) . The consistency of physical activity participation from 1985 to 1995 was also related to functional status in 1999 . Women who were always active had the best functional status and women who were always inactive had the worst functional status . For difficulty with activities of daily living : those always active , 17 ( 37.8 % ) of 45 women ; those inconsistently active , 24 ( 40.0 % ) of 60 women ; and those always inactive , 39 ( 59.1 % ) of 66 women ( chi2 for trend P=.02 ) . For score on the Physical Performance Test : those always active , 24.9 ; those inconsistently active , 24.5 ; and those always inactive , 23.8 ( analysis of variance with linear contrasts P=.04 ) . For gait speed : those always active , 1.17 m/s ; those inconsistently active , 1.15 m/s ; and those always inactive , 1.03 m/s ( analysis of variance with linear contrasts P=.002 ) . CONCLUSION We demonstrated a significant relation between physical activity during a 14-year period and current functional status in older women , thus suggesting that physical activity plays a role in maintaining functional ability later in 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 .