Functional Fitness in Older Adults

Abstract

Background: Using multiple interventions can increase muscle strength in older adults. A functional fitness test is a useful instrument to identify the effectiveness of physical functioning among older adults. However, the results in previous studies with regard to improvements in their physical function are inconsistent. Aim: To synthesize the intensity and interval of the effective interventions on physical functioning in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis on the related literature was conducted. The databases searched were PubMed, EBSCO, and Cochrane Trials. Papers published from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2017, were subjected to a computerized search. The inclusion criteria were that the randomized controlled trials examined a healthy and community-dwelling older adult population, and the instrument used to evaluate functional fitness was based on “functional fitness” or “senior fitness.” Two reviewers independently assessed the methodological quality of each trial, including study participants, allocation, blinding, data analysis, duration of follow-up and loss to follow-up, intervention, inclusion criteria, outcome measurements, and other biases. Results: Among the 218 trials, only 5 randomized control trials were synthesized in this systematic review. These works examined the effects of the intensity, interval, and duration of intervention programs based on elastic band exercise, aerobic training and combined aerobic and resistance training, Tai Chi with TheraBand resistance exercise, and Tai Chi and Thai Yoga exercise. Conclusions: A 1-hour intervention program, including 10 to 15 minutes of warm-up, 30 to 40 minutes of main exercise, and 5 to 10 minutes of cool-down stages, for 2 to 3 sessions per week, and continuing for 12 to 16 weeks, was the effect intervention for community-dwelling healthy older adults to enhance their upper body strength, lower body flexibility, and agility balance.

Community-based group physical activity and/or nutrition interventions to promote mobility in older adults: an umbrella review

“… PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan Fang, manual search of Soochow University and Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine libraries to March 2021 2003–2020 I: Traditional Chinese medicine-based exercises including but not limited to Tai Chi, Ba Duan Jin, and Qigong C: Placebo, AT, routine care, or educational programs 27 RCTs Inclusion: ≥55 Range: 59.7–88.8 2580 68 Moderate (Cochrane) Wirth 2020 [ 85 ] To investigate the effect of protein supplementation on body composition and muscle function in healthy adults. PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, Embase to March 2019 2001–2019 I: Oral protein intake, 2wk minimal duration, including energy-restriction or not, and including exercise or not C: Low-protein diet, no protein supplementation, or non-protein placebo 23 RCTs Inclusion: > 55 Range: 55–81 1290 62 Moderate certainty (GRADE) Yang 2019 [ 86 ] To determine intensity and interval of effective interventions in improving physical function in community-dwelling older adults. PubMed, EBSCO, and Cochrane Trials, Jan 1, 2013-Dec 31, 2017.…”

“…Included reviews reported on several types of interventions, with some reporting separate results for more than one intervention type. Most reviews focused on exercise or PA only ( n = 53) [ 26 – 35 , 37 – 40 , 42 , 44 , 45 , 47 , 49 – 75 , 77 , 78 , 80 – 84 , 86 ], while others included exercise with nutritional supplements ( n = 9) [ 25 , 36 , 41 , 43 , 46 , 48 , 76 , 79 , 85 ]. No reviews included group-based nutrition interventions alone.…”

“…No reviews included group-based nutrition interventions alone. Exercise or PA interventions were categorized as resistance exercise ( n = 12) [ 26 , 35 , 47 , 49 , 52 , 60 , 65 , 69 , 72 , 78 , 80 , 81 ], aerobic exercise ( n = 5) [ 28 , 29 , 33 , 38 , 66 ], combined aerobic and resistance exercise ( n = 9) [ 27 , 34 , 47 , 50 , 57 , 60 , 64 , 65 , 81 ], general PA ( n = 12) [ 42 , 44 , 45 , 49 , 54 , 58 , 62 , 63 , 67 , 69 , 70 , 86 ], mind-body exercise (e.g., Tai Chi, yoga, Pilates) ( n = 11) [ 31 , 32 , 37 , 40 , 49 , 56 , 59 , 71 , 74 , 75 , 84 ], dance ( n = 5) [ 39 , 51 , 61 , 73 , 81 ], and other (e.g., aquatics, stretching) ( n = 10) [ 30 , 47 , 49 , 53 , 55 , 68 , 77 , 81 – 83 ]. Nutritional supplements included protein ( n = 5) [ 41 , 43 , 48 ...…”

Sarcopenia, Diet, Physical Activity and Obesity in European Middle-Aged and Older Adults: The LifeAge Study

“…The physical condition assessment included HG, lower body muscle strength, gait speed and agility/dynamic balance [ 23 , 55 , 56 , 57 ].…”

Effectiveness of Facebook Remote Live-Streaming-Guided Exercise for Improving the Functional Fitness of Community-Dwelling Older Adults

“…As regular physical activity is a viable means of maintaining/improving the functional fitness of older adults (9), the second Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans in 2018 recommend that older adults above the age of 65 years engage in at least 150 min per week of moderate-intensity physical activity (PA) (10). However, several factors may affect older adults' intention to participate in exercise, such as the weather or the distance between their residence and the place they exercise (11).…”