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Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
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| The epidemiology of physical activity and physical function in older people | | Author(s) | Loretta DiPietro |
| Journal title | Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, vol 28, no 5, 1996 |
| Pages | pp 596-600 |
| Keywords | Exercise ; Physical capacity ; Self care capacity ; Mobility ; Correlation ; United States of America. |
| Annotation | A primary goal of studies of successful ageing is to identify modifiable factors related to the plasticity of higher physical function. However, little is known about the relationship between habitual physical activity (especially of low to moderate intensity) and the maintenance of day-to-day functioning in older people. This paper examines how patterns of physical activity translate into altered physical function in healthy older populations. A distinction is made between physical activity as a behaviour, and physical function as performance comprising a series of increasingly integrated steps. Recent epidemiological studies suggest that physical activity is associated with the maintenance of more basic components of physical function, as well as with higher-order task or goal-oriented functions in healthy older people. Moreover, higher levels of physical activity appear to be associated with better functioning, even in those with already existing chronic disease. Health recommendations call for incorporating at least 30 minutes of any activity into the daily schedule. Regular participation in activities of moderate intensity (e.g. walking, gardening, or housework) should be encouraged in older people. (RH). |
| Accession Number | CPA-980108228 A |
| Classmark | CEA: BI: CA: C4: 49: 7T * |
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing |
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| ...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing. |
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