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: He will benefit from increasing the level of activity and incorporating resistance training into his exercise routine. The patient began cross training with non–weight-bearing activities of swimming and biking three times per week. He was encouraged to wear good athletic shoes and may benefit from bracing, orthotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, or viscosupplementation. A twice-weekly, resistance training program was initiated focusing initially on lower extremity strength using light weights on a multipurpose machine. CASE 2
An 85-year-old woman who lives alone has a previous history of a minor stroke and has hypertension controlled with a beta blocker. 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.