Unfit Survivors: Exercise as a Resource for Aging Women

O'Brien, Sandra J.; Vertinsky, Patricia

doi:10.1093/geront/31.3.347

Cited by 87 publications

(29 citation statements)

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“…To lim it one's activity to only that needed for aero bic fitness may compromise other needs of the body for overall muscle strength and en durance, joint flexibility, balance and upright posture [16], However, the elderly have been shown to adapt more slowly to physical stress [17], thus they may actually need programs designed with more specific goals for the indi vidual. For example, an individual that needs to improve strength would benefit from a pro gram that specifically focuses on muscle exer cises, whereas another participant that needs to lose weight and improve cardiovascular fit ness may benefit from a program that concen trates on low intensity aerobic activity of lon ger duration.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Land-Based and Water-Based Fitness Programs on the Cardiovascular Fitness, Strength and Flexibility of Women Aged 65–75 Years

et al. 1996

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The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a generalized water-based exercise program (WBE) compared to a land-based exercise program (LBE) on improving cardio-respiratory fitness, body composition, forward trunk flexion and strength measurements of elderly women aged 70 ± 3.2 years (mean ± SD). Forty-one healthy, sedentary women were selected to participate in the study and were randomly assigned to the LBE or WBE. The 2 groups exercised for 12 weeks, 3 times/week for 45 min. Fitness testing was done before, during and after training, and included measurements of peak aerobic power (VO₂ peak), forward trunk flexion, sum of skinfolds, grip strength, curl-ups and push-ups. Between the tests performed before and after training, there were significant improvements in VO₂ peak in both groups (p < 0.05) with no significant differences between the groups (p > 0.05). The LBE group also showed a significant improvement in the total number of curl-ups performed (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in trunk forward flexion, total (right plus left) grip strength, push-ups, waist to hip ratio, sum of skin-folds or body mass index between the tests performed before and after training over time within groups or between groups (p > 0.05). The results show that general exercise interventions resulted in improvements in cardiovascular fitness (for both groups) and abdominal endurance (in the LBE only), but the two exercise programs used were not specific enough or long enough to cause improvements in muscular strength, flexibility or body composition. Furthermore, except for changes in abdominal endurance, the type of exercise venue (land vs. water) did not have a significant effect on the results obtained.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Land-Based and Water-Based Fitness Programs on the Cardiovascular Fitness, Strength and Flexibility of Women Aged 65–75 Years

et al. 1996

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“…Because of the ageing process and sedentary life style, elders classically experience a decline in physical functioning and an increase in the incidence of chronic health problems. Research studies have indicated that exercise is a recommended behaviour to prevent, delay and manage many chronic illnesses in elders (O'Brien & Vertinsky 1991, Lowenthal et al 1994, Clark 1996. Selecting an appropriate activity to keep the older population active and, most importantly, incorporating this activity as a part of their daily life, is essential to enhance their well-being and quality of life.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Well‐being of institutionalized elders after Yang‐style Tai Chi practice

Chen

Hsu

Chen³

et al. 2007

Journal of Clinical Nursing

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Aims and objectives. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Tai Chi on the physical and psychological well‐being of elders who resided in long‐term care facilities. Background. The beneficial effects of Tai Chi on elders’ well‐being have been well‐documented; however, most of the studies focused on community‐dwelling or healthier elders. Design and methods. In this longitudinal, time‐series, quasi‐experimental study, a convenience sample of 28 institutionalized elders was recruited. A six‐month Yang‐style Tai Chi intervention was administered twice a week for 60 minutes per practice. The well‐being outcome variables, including physical and mental health status, blood pressure, quality of sleep, occurrence of falls and fear of falling, were measured before the intervention and then at one‐month, two‐month, three‐month and six‐month intervals. Results. Results indicated that the physical health status and social functioning of frail elders were significantly improved after Tai Chi practice [F(4,24) = 3·42, p = 0·038; F(4,24) = 9·66, p = 0·001 respectively]. Conclusions. Tai Chi practice is beneficial for frail older people. Relevance to clinical practice. The findings provide a basis for using Yang‐style Tai Chi as a floor activity in long‐term care facilities to promote the well‐being of the older residents.

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“…Since women significantly outnumber and also outlive men by an average of 7 or 8 years, they will make up the majority of this population [1]. The advanced years of life are often filled with chronic illness, reducing the quality of life and decreasing the individual's ability to perform activities of daily living [1,2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Endurance Training on Selected Parameters of Immune Function in Elderly Women

et al. 2000

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Background: Immune function decreases with age, rendering the elderly more susceptible to infection and tumor development. In addition, intense exercise has been shown to decrease immune function in some populations. Few studies have examined the effects of exercise on immune function in the elderly and, to our knowledge, no studies have examined the effects of exercise on a population of active, but nonexercising elderly. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 10-week endurance training program on selected parameters of immune function in active elderly women. Methods: A total of 29 healthy, active women, aged 70–87, were randomly assigned to either an exercise (76 ± 5 years, n = 15) or control (77 ± 6 years, n = 14) group. The exercise group walked 3 days/week at 70% heart rate reserve (HRR). The duration on day 1 was 20 min and it was increased by 5 min each day until subjects were walking for 50 min (week 3). It remained at 50 min for the duration of the study, while controls maintained normal activity. Blood samples were obtained from both groups at rest, and from the exercise group after 20 min of walking at 70% HRR and after 2 h of recovery. Blood samples were collected prior to endurance training and again after 10 weeks of endurance training. Results: There was a significant decrease in 1-mile walk times as well as heart rate at completion of the walk in the exercise group. Natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity (NCMC) was significantly higher post-exercise, compared to pre-exercise both before and after training. After training it remained significantly elevated 2 h post-exercise. The resting NCMC was significantly decreased in controls at week 10 but not in the exercise group. Conclusion: Ten weeks of endurance training resulted in a significant decrease in both the 1-mile walk time and the post-walk heart rate in the exercisers but not the controls, without resulting in either an acute or chronic suppression of immune function. Further, endurance training may lead to an attenuation of the decrease in cellular immune measures which occurs during the winter, since the control group experienced a decrease in NCMC and the exercisers did not.

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Unfit Survivors: Exercise as a Resource for Aging Women

Cited by 87 publications

References 0 publications

Effect of Land-Based and Water-Based Fitness Programs on the Cardiovascular Fitness, Strength and Flexibility of Women Aged 65–75 Years

Effect of Land-Based and Water-Based Fitness Programs on the Cardiovascular Fitness, Strength and Flexibility of Women Aged 65–75 Years

Well‐being of institutionalized elders after Yang‐style Tai Chi practice

Effects of Endurance Training on Selected Parameters of Immune Function in Elderly Women

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