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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #331374
Title: Effect of structured physical activity on respiratory outcomes in sedentary elderly adults with mobility limitations

Author
item VAZ FRAGOSO, CARLOS - Yale University
item BEAVERS, DANIEL - Wake Forest School Of Medicine
item ANTON, STEPHEN - University Of Florida
item LIU, CHRISTINE - Boston University
item MCDERMOTT, MARY - Northwestern University
item NEWMAN, ANNE - University Of Pittsburgh
item PAHOR, MARCO - University Of Florida
item STAFFORD, RANDALL - Stanford University
item GILL, THOMAS - Yale University
item REID, KIERAN - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item FIELDING, ROGER - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University

Submitted to: Journal of American Geriatric Society
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/5/2015
Publication Date: 3/1/2016
Citation: Vaz Fragoso, C.A., Beavers, D.P., Anton, S.D., Liu, C.K., Mcdermott, M.M., Newman, A.B., Pahor, M., Stafford, R.S., Gill, T.M., Reid, K.F., Fielding, R.A. 2016. Effect of structured physical activity on respiratory outcomes in sedentary elderly adults with mobility limitations. Journal of American Geriatric Society. 64(3):501-509. doi: 10.1111/jgs.14013.

Interpretive Summary: This study evaluated the effects of a structured physical activity program on respiratory outcomes in older adults with mobility limitations. Older adults enrolled in the Lifestyle Interventions for Elders (LIFE) study were evaluated for their lung function and hospitalizations related to worsening of breathing symptoms. We found that physical activity had no effect on measures of lung function. However, physical activity was associated with higher likelihood of respiratory hospitalization. These results suggest that in older persons with mobility limitations, physical activity was associated with higher likelihood of respiratory hospitalization than health education, but differences in lung function did not accompany this effect indicating that higher hospital use could be attributable to greater participant contact.

Technical Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of structured physical activity on respiratory outcomes in community dwelling elderly adults with mobility limitations. DESIGN: Multicenter, randomized trial of physical activity vs health education, with respiratory variables prespecified as tertiary outcomes over an intervention period of 24-42 months. Physical activity included walking (goal of 150 min/week) and strength, flexibility, and balance training. Health education included workshops on topics relevant to older adults and upper extremity stretching exercises. SETTING: Lifestyle Interventions and Independence in Elders (LIFE) Study. PARTICIPANTS: Community dwelling persons aged 70-89 with Short Physical Performance Battery scores less than 10 (N = 1,635). MEASUREMENTS: Dyspnea severity (defined as moderate to severe according to a Borg index >2 immediately after a 400 m walk), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) (