Functional tasks exercise versus resistance exercise to improve daily function in older women: a feasibility study

To evaluate the feasibility of a new functional tasks exercise program, designed to improve functional performance of community-dwelling older women, by comparing it with a resistance exercise program.

A 12-week, randomized, single-blind pilot study.

A community leisure center.

Twenty-four community-dwelling, medically stable women (mean age, 74.6+/-4.8 y) were randomized to the functional tasks exercises (function group) or the resistance exercises (resistance group). Three participants withdrew from the study.

Exercises were given 3 times weekly for 12 weeks. The functional tasks exercise program aimed to improve daily tasks in the domains first affected in older adults, whereas the resistance exercise program focused on strengthening the muscle groups that are important for functional performance.

Participant satisfaction with the exercises, Assessment of Daily Activity Performance (ADAP), and, as a secondary outcome, muscle strength and power.

Exercise adherence was 81% in the function group and 90% in the resistance group. Participants reported greater satisfaction with the resistance exercises than with the functional exercises. The ADAP total score improved with time (P =.001; mean change function group, 7.5 U; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.1-12.8; resistance group, 2.8 U, 95% CI, -0.4 to 5.9), as did isometric knee extensor strength (P =.001; mean change function group, 6.4%; 95% CI, -1.6 to 14.5; resistance group, 14.4%; 95% CI, 6.4-22.2). Testing for differences in outcomes between the 2 groups showed no statistically significant differences.

The functional tasks exercise program is feasible and shows promise of being more effective for functional performance than a resistance exercise program. A randomized controlled trial with a larger sample size is needed to test the difference between the 2 programs.