Efficacy of Resistance and Task-Specific Exercise in Older Adults Who Modify Tasks of Everyday Life

Abstract

The benefits of exercise are dependent on tasks performed during training. Exercise recommendations for low-functioning older adults should reflect task-specific exercise to prevent the onset of disability.

Systematic review of functional training on muscle strength, physical functioning, and activities of daily living in older adults

“…Three trials recruited older adults from either congregate housing or long-term care facilities [17,1,31]. Five studies specifically recruited older adults with some degree of difficulty or dependency in mobility or ADL [1,31,35,47,18]. Three trials exclusively recruited women [9,47,11].…”

“…Six trials applied a two-group randomized controlled trial design: three trials compared functional training to an attention placebo control group [17,31,18]; one trial compared functional training to a control group who engaged in flexibility exercises [1]; one trial compared two programs that differed in functional training dosage, home exercise versus combined home and group exercise [21]; and one trial compared functional training to strength training [28]. Among three trials that applied a three-group randomized controlled trial design, in addition to a functional training group: two trials included a strength training group [35,11]; two trials included a control group [11,8]; one trial included a strength plus functional training group [35]; and one trial included a strength plus balance training group [8].…”

“…The majority of the trials included mobility exercises in functional training. Nine trials included chair stand exercises [17,1,12,31,35,47,18,21,28], seven trials included stair climbing exercises [9,17,12,31,35,18,21], and five trials included walking exercises [17,31,47,18,21].…”

“…Chin A Paw et al used game-like and cooperative activities such as throwing and catching a ball as functional training activities [7], while other studies were more focused on exercises simulating locomotor ADL such as walking, stair climbing, or chair stands [9,17,1,12,31,35,47]. Still, other researchers included modified ADL tasks in the functional training component, such as dressing, laundry, vacuuming, or carrying groceries [12,35,11].…”

Training in the functional movement circle to promote strength and mobility-related activities in older adults: a randomized controlled trial

“…Studies considered in this review showed positive effects of movements of everyday life in combination with balance exercises (Alfieri et al 2010;Egerton et al 2009;Mayer et al 2011). However, studies that implemented traditional resistance training without any additional exercises also displayed comparable positive effects (Aagaard et al 2010;Barry and Carson 2004;Bottaro et al 2007;Manini et al 2007). So it remains still unclear which training program is the most effective one for movements in everyday life.…”