title: Comparative effects of two physical activity programs on measured and perceived physical functioning and other health-related quality of life outcomes in older adults.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Stanford Center for Research in Disease Prevention, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California 94304-1583, USA. king@scrdp.stanford.edu
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Pruitt
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Oka
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodenburg
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Haskell
mesh_terms: 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