Exercise

A 48-Minute Increase In Weekly Activity Improves Physical Function

An increase of 48 minutes per week or more in regular physical activity is associated with significant improvement in physical function and decreased risk of immobility in older, sedentary adults, according to the results of a recent study.

In order to determine the effects of various doses of exercise in adults aged 70 to 89 years, researchers conducted a multicenter single masked randomized controlled trial of 1635 sedentary men and women with functional limitations. The participants were randomly assigned to either a structured moderate intensity walking, resistance, and flexibility physical activity program or to health education.
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They used 7-day accelerometry and self-reports to measure physical activity levels at baseline and 24 months. Outcomes included 400 m walk gait speed, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) scores, and onset of major mobility disability.

Overall, the researchers observed a dose-dependent increase in the change in gait speed and SPPB from baseline at 6, 12, and 24 months, as well as the reduction of major mobility disability onset.

“Relatively small increases (> 48 minutes per week) in regular physical activity participation had significant and clinically meaningful effects on these outcomes,” the researchers concluded.

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Fielding RA, Guralnik JM, King AC, et al. Dose of physical activity, physical functioning and disability risk in mobility-limited older adults: Results from the LIFE study randomized trial [published online August 18, 2017]. PLOS ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0182155.