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Longitudinal analysis of physical function in older adults: The effects of physical inactivity and exercise training |
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| Authors: | Kenneth M. Manning Katherine S. Hall Richard Sloane Daniele Magistro Emanuela Rabaglietti Cathy C. Lee Steven Castle Teresa Kopp Jamie Giffuni Leslie Katzel Michelle McDonald Miles Miyamoto Megan Pearson Stephen C. Jennings Janet Prvu Bettger Miriam C. Morey |
| Affiliation: | 1. Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, USA;2. Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, USA Department of Medicine, Center for the Study of Aging/Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA;3. Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK;4. Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy;5. Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California, USA;6. Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California, USA David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA;7. VA Medical Center, Canandaigua, New York, USA;8. Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, Maryland, USA;9. Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, Maryland, USA School of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA;10. Geritaric Rehabilitation and Clinical Center, VA Pacific Health Care System, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA;11. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA Roybal Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA |
| Abstract: | Lack of exercise contributes to systemic inflammation and is a major cause of chronic disease. The long-term impact of initiating and sustaining exercise in late life, as opposed to sustaining a sedentary lifestyle, on whole-body health measures such as physical performance is not well known. This is an exploratory study to compare changes in physical performance among older adults initiating exercise late in life versus inactive older adults. Data from two observational cohorts were included in this analysis, representing two activity groups. The Active group cohort comprises older adults (n = 318; age 72.5 ± 7.2 years) enrolled in a supervised exercise program, “Gerofit.” The inactive group comprises older adults (n = 146; age 74.5 ± 5.5 years) from the Italian study “Act on Ageing” (AOA) who self-reported being inactive. Participants in both groups completed physical performance battery at baseline and 1-year including: 6-min walk test, 30-s chair stand, and timed up-and-go. Two-sample t-tests measured differences between Gerofit and AOA at baseline and 1-year across all measures. Significant between-group effects were seen for all performance measures (ps = 0.001). The AOA group declined across all measures from baseline to 1 year (range −18% to −24% change). The Gerofit group experienced significant gains in function for all measures (range +10% to +31% change). Older adults who initiated routine, sustained exercise were protected from age-related declines in physical performance, while those who remained sedentary suffered cumulative deficits across strength, aerobic endurance, and mobility. Interventions to reduce sedentary behaviors and increase physical activity are both important to promote multi-system, whole-body health. |
| Keywords: | clinical cohort physical activity physical performance sedentary |