Positive effects of physical training in activity of daily living-dependent older adults.
The goal of this study was to determinate the effects of physical training in older adults with mobility limitations. Thirty frail women (84 +/- 6 years) were randomly assigned to a training or control group for 12 weeks of upper body physical training (UBT) performed sitting on wheelchairs. Trained subjects showed a significant improvement in arms strength (+29%), and shoulder flexibility (+10 cm) but did not improve in arms circumference. The activities of daily living (ADLs) were improved (+77%), cognitive function as defined by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was maintained in the trained group (+3%) and declined in the control group (-21%). These results demonstrate that UBT in dependent older women with mobility limitations can increase strength and improve ADLs.
Venturelli
Massimo
M
Department of Neurological and Visual Sciences, Faculty of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Verona, Via F. Casorati 43, Verona, Italy. massimo.venturelli@univr.it
Lanza
Massimo
M
Muti
Ettore
E
Schena
Federico
F
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001132:Arm; D040561:Assisted Living Facilities; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012785:Shoulder Joint; D014910:Wheelchairs