Current estimates predict that the population of the United States over the age of 85 will reach 6 million by the year 2010 and 16 million by the year 2050. Older individuals require a level of functional fitness high enough to conduct daily activities without exhaustion, make a complete recovery after debilitating illness and minimize the risks of future health problems. Strength training has been recommended as a means of maintaining or increasing functional capacity in the elderly. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 16 weeks of strength training on measures of functional ability in elderly who were functionally limited. The final sample consisted of 73 subjects (aged 75 +/- 5 years; range 65 - 92 yr). The strength training protocol consisted of 2 sets of 12, bilaterally, of 13 different strength training exercises using Thera Band TM resistance bands. The control group was instructed to maintain normal activity. Functional ability was operationalized to include a variety of measures that impact activities of daily living, morbidity and mortality in the elderly including upper and lower body strength and aerobic endurance. The dependent variables of aerobic exercise capacity, isokinetic strength testing of the legs and arms, time to the floor, time off the floor, stair test, chair stand and bicep curl were analyzed separately using a 2 groups (exercise v. control) x 3 times (pre v. mid v. post) Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures on the last factor. There was a significant effect for aerobic exercise capacity, arm flexion and extension, time to and off the floor, time up the stairs, chair stand and bicep curl. The results of this study demonstrate that functionally limited elderly are able to maintain a structured exercise program for 16 weeks and that this program provides them with increased measures of functional ability such as strength and endurance. Given the fact that functional ability has been inversely correlated with the need for assisted living and short-term morbidity among older adults, it seems evident that providing opportunities to exercise is crucial to future functioning and independence of the elderly population.
This research was funded by: NIH RO1 NR04929 (Robert Topp, PI)