Improved fitness narrows the symptom-reporting gap between older men and women.
OBJECTIVE
Functional differences between the sexes are well documented. The causes of functional decline are complex, but in general, women report more functional decline and have a greater prevalence of disabling chronic conditions than do men. The role of exercise training in attenuating functional decline has not been studied extensively. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare sex differences in adaptations to exercise training in measures of physical function (physical performance and self-report) and symptom reporting.


METHODS
Men and women (n = 114, ages 65-90) performed purely aerobic exercises (walking or stationary cycling) or a combination of aerobic plus spinal flexibility exercises for 1 hour 3 days a week for 3 months in a supervised, hospital-based setting. Outcome measures assessed in a blinded fashion at baseline and 3 months included physical performance (10-meter walk time, timed bed mobility, 360-degree turn time), self-reported physical function and disability (Nagi and Rosow-Breslau disability questions and SF-36 Physical Function Scale), and symptoms (number of symptoms, pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, and muscle weakness).


RESULTS
At baseline, men had better physical performance scores and fewer functional limitations and reported fewer symptoms than women. Following exercise training, women, but not men, improved in most measures of physical function and reported fewer symptoms. The absence of change among the men is most likely due to ceiling effect measures of physical function among the men.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that among functionally impaired women, exercise training has a positive effect on physical disability and symptom reporting. Exercise training attenuated the gap in self-reported symptoms between men and women in this study.
Morey
Miriam C
MC
Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (182), Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 508 Fulton Street, Durham, NC 27705, USA. morey@geri.duke.edu
Zhu
Carolyn W
CW
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012737:Sex Factors; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking; D014891:Weight Lifting