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 .
Hand grip strength and incident ADL disability in elderly Mexican Americans over a seven-year period
Background and aims : Little is known about muscle strength as a predictor of  disability among older Mexican Americans . The aim of this study was to examine the association between h and grip strength  and 7-year incidence of ADL disability in older Mexican American men and women . Methods : A 7-year prospect i ve cohort study of 2493 non-institutionalized Mexican American men and women aged 65 or older residing in five south-western states .  Maximal h and grip strength test , body mass index , cognitive function , activities of daily living , self-reports of medical conditions ( arthritis , diabetes , heart attack , stroke , cancer , hip fracture ) , and depressive symptoms were obtained . Results : In a Cox proportional regression analysis , there was a linear relationship between h and grip strength at baseline and risk of incident ADL disability over a 7-year follow-up . Among non-disabled men at baseline , the hazard ratio of any new ADL limitation was 1.90(95 % CI 1.14–3.17 ) for those in the lowest quartile , when compared with men in the highest h and grip strength quartile , after controlling for age , marital status , medical conditions , high depressive symptoms , MMSE score , and BMI at baseline . Among non-disabled women at baseline , the hazard ratio of any new ADL limitation was 2.28 ( 95 % CI 1.59–3.27 ) for those in the lowest quartile , when compared with women in the highest h and grip strength quartile . Conclusions : H and grip strength is an independent predictor of ADL disability  among older Mexican American men and women . The h and grip strength test is an easy , reliable , valid , inexpensive method of screening to identify older adults at risk 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 .