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 .
Incidence of and predictors for chronic disability in activities of daily living among older people in Taiwan.
OBJECTIVES To estimate the incidence of chronic activities of daily living ( ADL ) disability and to analyze the sociodemographic , health status , adverse lifestyle , and leisure-time physical activity predictors for chronic ADL disability . DESIGN We recruited a cohort of community-dwelling older people in Taipei , Taiwan , who were not ADL disabled in August 1993 , and we followed them until August 1996 . SETTING S AND PARTICIPANTS The study subjects were 1321 community-dwelling people aged 65 years or older who were ADL intact at the initial interview in August 1993 . The study sample was a subset of a probability sample ( n = 1583 ) r and omly selected from household registration s in the four districts of the Taipei metropolitan area . MEASUREMENTS Baseline information regarding various factors potentially associated with the development of chronic ADL disability was assessed and collected at the beginning of the study . Study participants were assessed annually for ADL function by a structured home interview using a six-item scale . Participants who were unable to perform independently at least one of the six items -- eating , bathing , dressing , toileting ,  transfers , and walking inside the house -- for more than 3 months were considered chronically ADL disabled . Cox proportional hazard regression models were utilized to examine the independent effect of the potential predictors on risk of chronic ADL disability . RESULTS During the 3-year study period , 145 ( 11.0 % ) participants developed chronic ADL disability , 58 ( 4.4 % ) participants were lost to follow-up , and 83 ( 6.3 % ) participants died . Multiple hazard regression analysis showed that individuals aged 70 to 79 years or older than age 80 had increased risk of ADL disability ( relative risk : 2.05 ( 95 % confidence interval ( CI ) , 1.35 - 3.11 ) and 3.89 ( 95%CI , 2.33 - 6.50 ) , respectively ) compared with those participants younger than age 70 . Risk of chronic ADL disability was inversely associated with routine exercise ( RR = 0.52 ; 95 % CI , 0.39 - 0.68 ) . CONCLUSIONS Age is the most significant predictor of chronic ADL disability . Lack of routine exercise is also a significant predictor of ADL disability in older adults
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 .