Download eBook for Free
Full Document
| Format | File Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PDF file | 1.4 MB | Use Adobe Acrobat Reader version 10 or higher for the best experience. |
Summary Only
| Format | File Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PDF file | 0.1 MB | Use Adobe Acrobat Reader version 10 or higher for the best experience. |
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requested an evidence-based systematic review of physical activity interventions to better assess the potential benefits of physical activity as it relates to older adults. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials of the effects of exercise on health and related outcomes for seniors. To be included, studies had to report outcomes on strength, cardiovascular fitness, physical function, or depression. (Other outcomes were not reported sufficiently often to justify meta-analysis.) The strongest evidence supporting a beneficial effect of exercise in older adults was in fall reduction. There were sufficient data to conclude that exercise can modestly to moderately improve strength and cardiovascular performance among previously sedentary older people. The benefits in endurance were equivalent in a change in maximal exertion from pitching softball to playing singles tennis. There was also trend supporting modest benefits of exercise on function and depression.
Reprinted with permission from Office of Research, Development, and Information Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Originally published in: Evidence Report and Evidence-Based Recommendations: Exercise Programs for Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
This report is part of the RAND Corporation Reprint series. The Reprint was a product of the RAND Corporation from 1992 to 2011 that represented previously published journal articles, book chapters, and reports with the permission of the publisher. RAND reprints were formally reviewed in accordance with the publisher's editorial policy and compliant with RAND's rigorous quality assurance standards for quality and objectivity. For select current RAND journal articles, see External Publications.
This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited; linking directly to this product page is encouraged. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial purposes. For information on reprint and reuse permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions.
The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors.