Age and Illness Needn't Be Barriers to Exercise

Source: Tufts University
February 14, 2003

Some older adults who have chronic conditions may not consider themselves ideal candidates for an exercise program, but new evidence suggests otherwise. Researchers studied a group of adults aged 65 to 87 who had chronic illnesses, and found that those who adhered to a prescribed exercise regimen had greater long-term survival compared with similar patients who did not. The results are published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

A voluntary exercise plan

Researchers in North Carolina studied 135 participants in an exercise program called Gerofit, which is offered to older veterans and their spouses. The program consists of 60- to 90-minute sessions, held three times a week, of supervised exercises that focus on cardiovascular, strength, flexibility, and balance training.

All of the study participants had some sort of chronic condition, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or arthritis. Many of them had more than one condition and almost 60% of the participants were considered at "high risk" for death.

Reduced mortality risk

Participation in Gerofit was voluntary and attendance was recorded. Of the 135 subjects being studied, researchers determined that 70 adhered to the program (by attending 2-3 times per week for the first six months) and 65 did not.

The researchers followed the participants over a 10-year period, in which 26 deaths occurred. After accounting for factors such as age, sex, disease status, and smoking status, the researchers found that mortality was lower in those participants who adhered to the program.

How exercise imparts benefits

Why exercise made such a difference can't be determined from this study, but the researchers say that the results are corroborated by existing research indicating that regular exercise is associated with reduced mortality in older adults. This may be because exercise has been shown to improve cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health, as well as general well being and quality of life.

Practical advice

The good news here is that older people with health problems can benefit from exercise and that it's never too late to begin exercising.

People considering starting a new exercise regimen - especially people who have chronic medical conditions - should get the go-ahead from their doctor, who may be able to make referrals to a supervised program based in a local hospital or in the community. A supervised program can help participants attain maximum benefit while reducing their risk for injury.

Source

• Exercise adherence and 10-year mortality in chronically ill older adults. MC. Morey, CF. Pieper, GM. Crowley,  et al., J Amer Geriatr Soc., 2002, vol. 50, pp. 1929--1933

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