Effects of a physical activity intervention on measures of physical performance: Results of the lifestyle interventions and independence for Elders Pilot (LIFE-P) study.
BACKGROUND
The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), which includes walking, balance, and chair stands tests, independently predicts mobility disability and activities of daily living disability. To date, however, there is no definitive evidence from randomized controlled trials that SPPB scores can be improved. Our objective was to assess the effect of a comprehensive physical activity (PA) intervention on the SPPB and other physical performance measures.


METHODS
A total of 424 sedentary persons at risk for disability (ages 70-89 years) were randomized to a moderate-intensity PA intervention or a successful aging (SA) health education intervention and were followed for an average of 1.2 years.


RESULTS
The mean baseline SPPB score on a scale of 0-12, with 12 corresponding to highest performance, was 7.5. At 6 and 12 months, the PA versus SA group adjusted SPPB (+/- standard error) scores were 8.7 +/- 0.1 versus 8.0 +/- 0.1, and 8.5 +/- 0.1 versus 7.9 +/- 0.2, respectively (p < .001). The 400-meter walking speed was also significantly improved in the PA group. The PA group had a lower incidence of major mobility disability defined as incapacity to complete a 400-meter walk (hazard ratio = 0.71, 95% confidence interval = 0.44-1.20).


CONCLUSIONS
A structured PA intervention improved the SPPB score and other measures of physical performance. An intervention that improves the SPPB performance may also offer benefit on more distal health outcomes, such as mobility disability.
Department of Aging and Geriatric Research, College of Medicine, University of Florida, 1329 SW 16th St., Rm. 5161, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA. mpahor@ufl.edu
Pahor
Marco
M
Blair
Steven N
SN
Espeland
Mark
M
Fielding
Roger
R
Gill
Thomas M
TM
Guralnik
Jack M
JM
Hadley
Evan C
EC
King
Abby C
AC
Kritchevsky
Stephen B
SB
Maraldi
Cinzia
C
Miller
Michael E
ME
Newman
Anne B
AB
Rejeski
Walter J
WJ
Romashkan
Sergei
S
Studenski
Stephanie
S
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016138:Walking