Title: Promoting and Prescribing Exercise in the Elderly - American Family Physician
Headings: Promoting and Prescribing Exercise for the Elderly
Promoting and Prescribing Exercise for the Elderly
Benefits of Exercise
View/Print Table
Benefits of Exercise in Older Adults
Illustrative Cases
CASE 1
CASE 2
Strength Training
Preparticipation Screening
HISTORY AND PHYSICAL
EXERCISE STRESS TESTING
The Exercise Prescription
Promoting Physical Activity
Overcoming Barriers to Exercise
View/Print Table
Common Barriers to Exercise in Older Adults
Additional Considerations
The Authors
REFERENCES
Continue reading from February 1, 2002

Content: She does not have known osteoporosis or a history of fracture and is currently sedentary. On examination, this patient had some difficulty with eyes-closed balance and was unable to stand from a chair without using both armrests, indicating fairly significant leg weakness. She began her exercise program by focusing on balance and strength with a simple home routine based on chair exercises, 12 oz soup cans, and balancing on one leg while holding the kitchen counter. Because she is asymptomatic for coronary artery disease, she can begin a low-intensity aerobic program without further testing. Because of the cold weather, the patient chose to begin walking the ground floor of her large apartment building, adding time and distance as she gains endurance. Strength Training
Although the positive benefits of aerobic exercise are widely accepted, the importance of resistance training in the older population has also become increasingly apparent. Muscle strength declines by 15 percent per decade after age 50 and 30 percent per decade after age 70. 1 This is principally the result of sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass) and occurs to a greater degree in older women than men. Results from the Framingham disability study 13 demonstrate that 45 percent of women older than 65 years and 65 percent older than 75 years cannot lift 10 lb. Resistance training can result in 25 to 100 percent, or more, strength gains in older adults through muscle hypertrophy and, presumably, increased motor unit recruitment.