Strength Training for Older Adults: Psychosocial and Physiological Adaptations

Physical Therapists’ Perceptions of Barriers to the Use of Evidence-based Fall Prevention Intervention with Individuals of 65 Years of Age or Older

“…Age-related physiological muscle weakness in the elderly is directly proportional to functional decline and is reversible with resistance exercise training (Chandler, 1998;Tideiksaar, 2010). Functional decline can manifests in inability to perform common activities of daily living such as chair to bed transfers, bathroom transfers, sit to stand transfers, household mobility with or without mobility device, grooming and dressing (Guggenheimer, Olsen, Kurvers & Barron, 2017). Strength training in the elderly does not only reduce falls, but also forestalls the effects of aging on functional limitations, disability and the attendant declines in quality of life (McAuley, Szabo, Gothe, & Olson, 2011;Seguin & Nelson, 2003).…”

“…Strength training in the elderly does not only reduce falls, but also forestalls the effects of aging on functional limitations, disability and the attendant declines in quality of life (McAuley, Szabo, Gothe, & Olson, 2011;Seguin & Nelson, 2003). Sedentary lifestyles and general physical inactivity in the elderly is usually due to psychological fear of falling which further compounds and complicates physiological impairments associated with the aging process (Guggenheimer, Olsen, Kurvers & Barron, 2017;McAuley et al, 2011). According to CDC (2015), other benefits of strength training exercises include ability to reduce signs and symptoms of several chronic disease conditions, such as: arthritis, diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity, back pain, and depression, enhance quality of sleep, and improved cardiac health, self-confidence, self-esteem and general quality of life.…”