title: Strength training and light physical activity reduces the apnea-hypopnea index in institutionalized older adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of 7 weeks of resistance training and walking on the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) in institutionalized older adults compared with a usual care control group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Secondary analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten nursing and 3 assisted living facilities in Arkansas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Institutionalized older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Exercise group (EG) performed supervised resistance training to arm and hip extensors on 3 days a week with additional 2 days a week of light walking. Usual care group (UC) participated in the usual activities provided within their living facility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two nights of polysomnography before and following 7-week intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Adjusted means in the EG group showed a decrease in AHI from 20.2 (SD ±1.3) at baseline to 16.7 (SD ±0.9) at 7 weeks. Absolute strength gains were not associated with improved AHI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Supervised resistance training and light walking reduced the severity of obstructive sleep apnea in institutionalized older adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Science, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
authors.forename: Jeffrey E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Herrick
authors.affiliation: Sleep Program, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Donald L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Bliwise
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Science, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
authors.forename: Shipra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Puri
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
authors.forename: Sandy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA. Electronic address: kricha11@gmu.edu.
authors.forename: Kathy C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Richards
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001131:Arkansas / Q000453:epidemiology; D040561:Assisted Living Facilities; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D055070:Resistance Training; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*
keywords: Exercise; nursing homes; older adults; sleep issues