An analysis of the 1990 Public Health Service physical fitness and exercise objectives for older Americans

As part of the 1990 Health Objectives for the Nation Report, the Public Health Service (PHS) specified a 50% participation of older adults in aerobic activity. A review of national population based surveys indicated that older Americans are very unlikely to attain this objective. The authors' review of epidemiological and empirical literature, however, suggested that both high activity/high fitness and high activity/low fitness physical activities contribute to health. Moreover, the underlying dimension of the health goal for older Americans is to increase or maintain functional independence. Physical activities that emphasize flexibility, strength, and balance are essential components in maintaining activity in daily living skills for older Americans. A recommendation for cardiovascular health, based upon recent empirical studies, is that older adults should optimally attain a leisure time physical activity (LTPA) expenditure of 150 to 400 K-cal per day. The authors' analysis of the 1985 National Health Interview Survey; Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, indicated that only 22 percent of older Americans are attaining the minimal 150 K-cal threshold in LTPA. The authors subsequently argued that the physical fitness goal for older Americans should be revised to include not only aerobic activity but flexibility, strength, and balance.