RESUMO
This study examined the impact of supervised exercise on the health status (measured by the Sickness Impact Profile [SIP]) and well-being (measured by the Psychological General Well-Being Index [PGWB]) of a sample of 43 elderly veterans. The intervention consisted of 90 minutes of exercise, 3 days per week at 70% of maximal capacity. Twenty-three (53%) participants completed a 1-year follow-up. The mean PGWB score increased significantly from 83.0 +/- 15.8 to 89.4 +/- 8.9 (p = .01). Cardiovascular fitness (measured by treadmill performance) increased significantly (p = .004). Baseline SIP scores were low (little dysfunction) and changed little. The study suggests that small but significant improvements in well-being accompany physiological benefits that the elderly experience with exercise.
Assuntos
Exercício Físico , Promoção da Saúde/métodos , Resultado do Tratamento , Veteranos/psicologia , Idoso , Atitude Frente a Saúde , Imagem Corporal , Coleta de Dados , Estudos de Avaliação como Assunto , Feminino , Nível de Saúde , Hospitais com 300 a 499 Leitos , Hospitais de Veteranos , Humanos , Masculino , North Carolina , AutoimagemRESUMO
The extent to which exercise can delay the normal decline in physical performance associated with aging is unknown. We examined the impact of 2 years of supervised exercise on cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, and strength in a group of elderly (age 65-74) veterans. Seventy-five patients exercised 3 days/week for 90-minute sessions emphasizing aerobic, flexibility, and strength development. Thirty-six (47%) completed 2 years of a voluntary supervised exercise program (n = 16-25 with complete data). Over a 2-year follow-up period, cardiovascular outcome variables improved significantly: metabolic equivalents increased 20% (7.4 +/- 2.2 to 9.0 +/- 2.4, P less than 0.001) and submaximal heart rate decreased 7% (131.4 +/- 14.8 to 121.0 +/- 18.5 beats/minute, P = 0.06). Resting heart rate decreased 8% (68.5 +/- 8.0 to 63.6 +/- 8.4 beats/minute, P = 0.02) but this difference did not reach statistical significance. Flexibility, measured by hamstring length, improved 11% (57.5 +/- 15.1 to 64.0 +/- 11.1 degrees, P = 0.02). Strength variables did not improve. The study indicates that improvements in cardiovascular function and flexibility achieved by the elderly in the early stages of an exercise program can be maintained for at least 2 years.
Assuntos
Exercício Físico/fisiologia , Aptidão Física/fisiologia , Veteranos , Idoso , Índice de Massa Corporal , Peso Corporal/fisiologia , Fenômenos Fisiológicos Cardiovasculares , Colesterol/sangue , Feminino , Seguimentos , Frequência Cardíaca/fisiologia , Humanos , MasculinoRESUMO
The extent to which exercise can delay the normal decline in physical performance associated with aging is unknown. We examined the impact of 2 years of supervised exercise on cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, and strength in a group of elderly (age 65-74) veterans. Seventy-five patients exercised 3 days/week for 90-minute sessions emphasizing aerobic, flexibility, and strength development. Thirty-six (47%) completed 2 years of a voluntary supervised exercise program (n = 25 with complete data). Over a 2-year follow-up period, cardiovascular outcome variables improved significantly: metabolic equivalents increased 20% (7.4 +/- 2.2 to 9.0 +/- 2.4, P less than 0.001) and submaximal heart rate decreased 7% (68.5 +/- 8.0 to 63.6 +/- 8.4 beats/minute, P = 0.02). Resting heart rate decreased 8% (131.4 +/- 14.8 to 121.0 +/- 18.5 beats/minute, P = 0.06), but this difference did not reach statistical significance. Flexibility, measured by hamstring length, improved 11% (57.5 +/- 15.1 to 64.0 +/- 11.1 degrees, P = 0.02). Strength variables did not improve. The study indicates that improvements in cardiovascular function and flexibility achieved by the elderly in the early stages of an exercise program can be maintained for at least 2 years.
Assuntos
Envelhecimento/fisiologia , Exercício Físico/fisiologia , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Assistência Ambulatorial , Índice de Massa Corporal , Peso Corporal/fisiologia , HDL-Colesterol/sangue , Feminino , Seguimentos , Frequência Cardíaca/fisiologia , Humanos , Masculino , Músculos/fisiologiaRESUMO
Most studies that assess the effects of exercise in the elderly involve subjects who are in good health. The objective of this prospective longitudinal study was to examine the impact of exercise on cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, and strength in an elderly population that included chronically ill individuals. Patients were recruited initially from a population of veterans over 64 years of age who use a VA outpatient clinic as their regular source of care. The exercise intervention consisted of 90 minutes of exercise 3 days per week at 70% of the patient's maximal capacity. Activities included stationary cycling, stretching, weight training, and walking. Of 69 patients who began the program, 49 (71%) reached 4-month follow-up. Most patients completing follow-up (76%) had at least one chronic disease, such as arthritis, hypertension, or heart disease. Patients who dropped out were more likely to have multiple chronic illnesses than those who remained in the program. Average weekly attendance was 65% and was stable over time. Improvements in cardiovascular fitness at 4-month follow-up were significant: Metabolic equivalents increased from 7.1 +/- 2.3 to 8.3 +/- 2.6 (P less than .001), treadmill time increased from 8.5 +/- 3.8 to 11.2 +/- 4.2 minutes (P less than .001), submaximal heart rate decreased from 123.7 +/- 18.8 to 118.8 +/- 19.4 beats per minute (P less than .001) and resting heart rate decreased from 68.1 +/- 10.6 to 63.3 +/- 11.6 beats per minute (P = .005).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
