The effect of a weighted vest on perceived health status and bone density in older persons.
To assess the effect of an exercise intervention using a weighted vest on perceived health status and bone density in older persons, we enrolled 36 seniors in a randomized controlled trial. The vest-use group met weekly for 1 h for a low level exercise class. They wore a weighted vest during the class and as tolerated at home. The discussion controls met for 1 h weekly. At baseline and follow-up (20 weeks), subjects completed a questionnaire that included the 20 item MOS Short-Form Health Survey, Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale, and Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale, and bone density was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Subjects also completed daily activity diaries. Subjects in the vest group reported a statistically significant decrease in bodily pain, improved physical functioning, and increased internal health locus of control. Bone density increased by 1% in the vest group and decreased by 0.6% in the controls (p = 0.12). We conclude that our exercise intervention had a positive effect on some measures of perceived health in older persons.
Division of General Internal Medicine, UCLA School of Medicine 90024-1685.
G A
GA
Greendale
S H
SH
Hirsch
T J
TJ
Hahn
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014891:Weight Lifting