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 risk of cognitive impairment and dementia in elderly persons.
CONTEXT Dementia is common , costly , and highly age related . Little attention has been paid to the identification of modifiable lifestyle habits for its prevention . OBJECTIVE To explore the association between physical activity and the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia .  DESIGN , SETTING , AND SUBJECTS Data come from a community sample of 9008 r and omly selected men and women 65 years or older , who were evaluated in the 1991 - 1992 Canadian Study of Health and Aging , a prospect i ve cohort study of dementia . Of the 6434 eligible subjects who were cognitively normal at baseline , 4615 completed a 5-year follow-up .  Screening and clinical evaluations were done at both waves of the study . In 1996 - 1997 , 3894 remained without cognitive impairment , 436 were diagnosed as having cognitive impairment-no dementia , and 285 were diagnosed as having dementia . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Incident cognitive impairment and dementia by levels of physical activity at baseline . RESULTS Compared with no exercise , physical activity was associated with lower risks of cognitive impairment , Alzheimer disease , and dementia of any type . Significant trends for increased protection with greater physical activity were observed . High levels of physical activity were associated with reduced risks of cognitive impairment ( age- , sex- , and education-adjusted odds ratio , 0.58 ; 95 % confidence interval , 0.41 - 0.83 ) , Alzheimer disease ( odds ratio , 0.50 ; 95 % confidence interval , 0.28 - 0.90 ) , and dementia of any type ( odds ratio , 0.63 ; 95 % confidence interval , 0.40 - 0.98 ) . CONCLUSION Regular physical activity could represent an important and potent protective factor for cognitive decline and dementia in elderly persons
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 .