Objective. To examine the effects of aerobic and resistance exercise on selfieficacy beliefs in older adults with knee osteoarthritis [OA)

Sixteen female breast cancer patients who had been diagnosed (3.0 +/- 1.2 years previous to the study) and undergone surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation treatment were randomly assigned to exercise and nonexercise groups. Pre- and post-study measurements were taken for aerobic performance, leg strength, and concentrations of circulating lymphocyte subsets and natural killer cell cytotoxic activity (NKCA). Exercise training consisted of 60 minutes of supervised weight training and aerobic activity three times each week for eight weeks. Although subjects in the exercise groups demonstrated some modest improvement in the various aerobic and strength tests, NKCA and concentrations of circulating T and NK cells were not significantly altered relative to the nonexercise group. This study suggests that moderate exercise over an eight-week period has no significant effect on the function of in vitro natural killer cells in breast cancer patients.

Lifestyle interventions have resulted in weight loss or improved physical fitness among individuals with obesity, which may lead to improved physical function. This prospective investigation involved participants in the Action for Health in Diabetes (Look AHEAD) trial who reported knee pain at baseline (n = 2,203). The purposes of this investigation were to determine whether an Intensive Lifestyle Intervention (ILI) condition resulted in improvement in self-reported physical function from baseline to 12 months vs. a Diabetes Support and Education (DSE) condition, and whether changes in weight or fitness mediated the effect of the ILI. Outcome measures included the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain, stiffness, and physical function subscales, and WOMAC summary score. ILI participants exhibited greater adjusted mean weight loss (s.e.) vs. DSE participants (−9.02 kg (0.48) vs. −0.78 kg (0.49); P < 0.001)). ILI participants also demonstrated more favorable change in WOMAC summary scores vs. DSE participants (β (s.e.) = −1.81 (0.63); P = 0.004). Multiple regression mediation analyses revealed that weight loss was a mediator of the effect of the ILI intervention on change in WOMAC pain, function, and summary scores (P < 0.001). In separate analyses, increased fitness also mediated the effect of the ILI intervention upon WOMAC summary score (P < 0.001). The ILI condition resulted in significant improvement in physical function among overweight and obese adults with diabetes and knee pain. The ILI condition also resulted in significant weight loss and improved fitness, which are possible mechanisms through which the ILI condition improved physical function.

These data indicate that the HB program was as effective as the CB program at improving/maintaining functional capacity, blood lipids, and body weight/composition. The similar success of the SC group is likely due to their prior experience in CRP and knowledge of follow-up testing. Home-based maintenance program could be offered as a low-cost alternative to CB programs.

This review examines selected conceptual models on physical disability that have been commonly employed in the study of chronic disease and aging, and suggests including self-efficacy beliefs and physical symptoms into the main pathway of the disablement process. The resulting model of disability has direct implications for integrating group and individual counseling into exercise prescription.