Health and physical function predicting strength and balance training adoption: a community-based study among individuals aged 75 and older.
This study was conducted to determine the characteristics of health and physical function that are associated with not starting strength and balance training (SBT). The study population consisted of 339 community-dwelling individuals (75-98 years, 72% female). As part of a population-based intervention study they received comprehensive geriatric assessment, physical activity counseling, and had the opportunity to take part in SBT at the gym once a week. Compared with the SBT-adopters, the nonadopters (n = 157, 46%) were older and less physically active, had more comorbidities and lower cognitive abilities, more often had sedative load of drugs or were at the risk of malnutrition, had lower grip strength and more instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) difficulties, and displayed weaker performance in Berg Balance Scale and Timed Up and Go assessments. In multivariate models, higher age, impaired cognition, and lower grip strength were independently associated with nonadoption. In the future, more individually-tailored interventions are needed to overcome the factors that prevent exercise initiation.
Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland.
Eeva
E
Aartolahti
Sirpa
S
Hartikainen
Eija
E
Lönnroos
Arja
A
Häkkinen
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods; D018737:Hand Strength; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004856:Postural Balance; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data