Comparative effects of two physical activity programs on measured and perceived physical functioning and other health-related quality of life outcomes in older adults.
BACKGROUND
Although inactivity is an important contributor to impaired functioning and disability with age, little is known concerning how improvements in physical functioning and well-being in older adults vary with the type of physical activity undertaken.


METHODS
One hundred three adults age 65 years and older, recruited via population-based methods, were randomized to 12 months of community-based, moderate-intensity endurance and strengthening exercises (Fit & Firm) or stretching and flexibility exercises (Stretch & Flex). A combination of class- and home-based exercise formats was used. Measured and self-rated physical performance along with perceived functioning and well-being were assessed pre- and postintervention.


RESULTS
Fit & Firm subjects showed greater 12-month improvements in both measured and self-rated endurance and strength compared to Stretch & Flex subjects. Stretch & Flex subjects reported greater improvements in bodily pain, and Stretch & Flex men evidenced greater improvements in flexibility relative to Fit & Firm subjects. Although overall exercise adherence was high in both exercise conditions (approximately 80%), subjects in both conditions showed better adherence to the home- versus class-based portions of their exercise prescriptions.


CONCLUSIONS
Community-based programs focusing on moderate-intensity endurance and strengthening exercises or flexibility exercises can be delivered through a combination of formats that result in improvement in important functional and well-being outcomes. This represents one of the first studies to report significant improvements in an important quality of life outcome-bodily pain-with a regular regimen of stretching and flexibility exercises in a community-based sample of older adults.
King
A C
AC
Stanford Center for Research in Disease Prevention, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California 94304-1583, USA. king@scrdp.stanford.edu
Pruitt
L A
LA
Phillips
W
W
Oka
R
R
Rodenburg
A
A
Haskell
W L
WL
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology