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Cessation of exercise in the institutionalized elderly: effects on physical function
Sarah C Marshall1, Katherine Berg
1Sarah C. Marshall, pht, MSc (Rehab Sciences): Clinical Physiotherapist, Ste-Anne's Hospital, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec.
Physiotherapy Canada. Physiotherapie Canada
|June 2, 2011
Summary
Discontinuing exercise programs for elderly individuals in institutions leads to declines in physical function. Continuous exercise is crucial for maintaining mobility and overall health in this population.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Exercise Physiology
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Maintaining physical function is critical for institutionalized elderly individuals.
- Exercise programs are commonly implemented to improve health outcomes in this demographic.
- The impact of exercise interruptions on elderly populations requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effects of a 12-week exercise cessation on physical variables in institutionalized elderly adults.
- To evaluate the overall effectiveness of intermittent exercise programming.
- To understand the consequences of exercise breaks on functional mobility.
Main Methods:
- A one-group, interrupted time-series design was employed.
- Functional mobility was assessed in 25 institutionalized elderly adults.
- Data were collected at four time points across two 12-week exercise cycles separated by 12-week cessation periods.
Main Results:
- Exercise cessation resulted in a decline in functional mobility for both higher-functioning and lower-functioning groups.
- The intermittent nature of the exercise program negatively impacted the physical function of the lower-functioning group.
- Deterioration in physical function was observed following exercise breaks.
Conclusions:
- The findings highlight the detrimental effects of exercise cessation on elderly institutionalized individuals.
- Current exercise programming practices for this population may need modification.
- Continuous exercise engagement is recommended to sustain physical function in older adults residing in institutions.
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