Physical Activity and Function in Older Age: It’s Never too Late to Start! by Loretta DiPietro, PhD, MPH, FACSM

This article was first seen on www.acsm.org

Despite the known benefits of physical activity to health and physical function in aging, the proportion of older adults meeting recommended physical activity guidelines remains low (27%). Since the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans were published, considerable evidence has emerged regarding the relative benefits of various modes or combinations of physical activity, such as progressive resistance training, multicomponent exercise, dual-task training, tai chi, yoga, and dance, for fall-related injury prevention and for specific physical function outcomes (e.g., strength, gait speed, balance, activities of daily living [ADL] function). The 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee (PAGAC) Scientific Report summarized this body of new evidence in order to inform the new 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition. These findings were further summarized in the June issue of Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise.

​The 2018 PAGAC Scientific Report provides strong evidence that physical activity reduces the risk of fall-related injuries in older people by 32-40%, and this includes severe falls requiring medical care or hospitalization. There is also strong evidence that physical activity improves physical function and reduces the risk of age-related loss of physical function in a dose-response manner among the general aging population and improves physical function in older people with frailty and with Parkinson’s disease. Moderate evidence indicates that for older adults who sustained a hip fracture or stroke, extended exercise programs and mobility-oriented physical activity improves physical function.

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