Centre for Policy on Ageing



Effects of physical activity on health status in older adults — I: Observational studies
Author(s)	Edward H Wagner, Andrea Z LaCroix, David M Buchner
Journal title	Annual Review of Public Health, vol 13, 1992
Pages	pp 451-468
Keywords	Mobility ; Inactivity ; Health [elderly] ; Ill health ; Physical disabilities ; Literature reviews ; United States of America.
Annotation	Older adults reduce their activity levels as they age, and larger proportions are sedentary. Planning feasible interventions requires a far better understanding of the determinants of this behaviour pattern than currently exists. This literature review provides evidence that even modestly increased activity levels in older people may have major public health benefits. Increased activity appears to result in diminished age-related declines in physiological reserve, fewer depressive symptoms, reduced risk of CHD, fewer osteoporotic fractures, higher rates of maintaining function and avoiding functional loss, and lower mortality. The methods of measuring physical activity varies widely across studies, as does the level of activity at which health benefits begin. Future research must answer crucial questions about the type, intensity and duration of activity required to achieve various health effects. (RH).
Accession Number	CPA-980106212 A
Classmark	C4: C5: CC: CH: BN: 64A: 7T *
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...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing.