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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #247327
Title: Community-based strength training improves physical function in older women and arthritis

Author
item LAYNE, JENNIFER - Foundation For Informed Medical Decision Making
item ARABELOVIC, SENADA - Tufts - New England Medical Center
item WILSON, LYNN BARIOS - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item CLOUTIER, GREGORY - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item PINDRUS, MARIYA - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item MALLIO, CHARLOTTE - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item ROUBENOFF, RONEN - Friedman School Of Nutrition
item CASTANEDA-SCEPPA, CARMEN - Friedman School Of Nutrition

Submitted to: American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/20/2009
Publication Date: 11/1/2009
Citation: Layne, J.E., Arabelovic, S., Wilson, L., Cloutier, G.J., Pindrus, M.A., Mallio, C.J., Roubenoff, R., Castaneda-Sceppa, C. 2009. Community-based strength training improves physical function in older women and arthritis. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. 3(6):466-473.

Interpretive Summary: Exercise is recognized as a mainstay treatment of arthritis, yet more than 40% of adults with arthritis report that they do not dedicate leisure time to physical activity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is working to identify and promote evidence-based physical activity programs to improve physical function among adults with arthritis. The authors of this paper conducted a mul¬tisite, pilot randomized controlled trial to examine the effects of community-based strength training versus usual activity in women 55 years of age and older with arthritis. The moderate-intensity, progressive strength training intervention included balance and flexibility exercises. Classes met 2 times per week for 12 weeks. Outcome measures included muscle strength, performance-based physical function (mobility, flexibility, and balance), and arthritis symptoms. The study found that there were no adverse effects on arthri¬tis symptoms. These results demon¬strate the efficacy of this program and its potential to be disseminated as an evidence-based strength training inter¬vention to improve physical function and strength among older women with arthritis and other major comorbidities.

Technical Abstract: Exercise is recognized as a mainstay treatment of arthritis, yet more than 40% of adults with arthritis report no leisure time physical activity participation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is working to identify and promote evidence-based physical activity programs to improve physical function among adults with arthritis. The authors conducted a mul¬tisite, pilot randomized controlled trial to examine the effects of community-based strength training versus usual activity in women (n = 33) 55 years of age and older with arthritis. The moderate-intensity, progressive strength training intervention included balance and flexibility exercises. Classes met 2 times per week for 12 weeks. Outcome measures included muscle strength, performance-based physical function (mobility, flexibility, and balance), and arthritis symptoms. Lower body strength improved from baseline to 12 weeks in the strength training versus con¬trol group (32.2%-7.3%, respectively; P = .004). Physical function improved in the strength training group over 12 weeks (range, 7%-50%; P < .05), with no change in control group. Adherence to the intervention was 82% ± 16%. There were no adverse effects on arthri¬tis symptoms. These results demon¬strate the efficacy of this program and its potential to be disseminated as an evidence-based strength training inter¬vention to improve physical function and strength among older women with arthritis and other major comorbidities.