Physical Activity in Older Adults

What is physical activity and what is exercise?
Physical activity has been defined as “any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that results in energy expenditure”, in contrast to exercise which was defined as “Leisure time physical activity which is planned and structured, and repetitive bodily movement undertaken to improve or maintain one or more components of physical fitness”. Physical activity is an umbrella term for many activities such as exercise, sport, dancing, gardening and walking.
Regular physical activity has been shown to have important beneficial effects on physical and mental wellbeing across all age groups. There are very few medical conditions that regular exercise doesn’t help to prevent, reduce the risk of developing, or improve symptoms. This topic is core to what physiotherapists can provide, and we should be at the forefront of the field of providing activity and exercise prescription especially where a disease process is evident.
Many non-communicable diseases (NCDs) prevalent in older adults can benefit from participation in regular physical activity. The potential effects of exercise on the health of older adults include:

• Reduced risk of developing coronary heart disease, stroke, certain types of cancers and diabetes
• Prevention of post-menopausal osteoporosis and protection against osteoporotic fractures by reducing the risk of falls
• A reduction in accidental falls.
• A reduction in loneliness and isolation, along with a reduction in depression, which may be as effective as antidepressants.
• A reduction in the complications of immobility, such as deep vein thrombosis and pressure sores.

Being active from an early age can help prevent many diseases just as regular movement and activity can help relieve the disability and pain associated with these conditions. Importantly, the benefits of physical activity can be enjoyed even if regular practice starts late in life. It has been suggested that older adults engaged in regular physical activity demonstrate improved:

• Balance
• Strength
• Coordination and motor control
• Flexibility
• Endurance.

Consequently, physical activity can reduce falls risk, a major older age cause of disability.

Physical activity has also been shown to improve mental health and cognitive function in older adults and has been found to contribute to the management of disorders such as depression and anxiety. Active lifestyles often provide older people with regular occasions to make new friendships, maintain social networks, and interact with other people of all ages.
Despite this, a global trend of declining physical activity participation that is associated with increasing age has been observed (Marmot et al 2003