 |
There is strong scientific evidence that regular physical
activity produces major and extensive health benefits in both adults aged 18–64
and in older adults aged 65 and above. In some cases the evidence of health
benefits is strongest in older adults because the outcomes related to
inactivity are more common in older adults. This results in an increased
ability of observational studies to detect the protective effect of physical
activity in this age group. Overall, conclusive evidence shows that both
moderate-intensity and vigorous-intensity activity provide similar health benefits
in both adult age groups.
The overall evidence for adults aged 65 years and above
demonstrates that, compared to less active individuals, men and women who are
more active have lower rates of all-cause mortality, coronary heart disease, high
blood pressure, stroke, type 2 diabetes, colon cancer, breast cancer, a higher
level of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, healthier body mass and
composition, and a biomarker profile that is more favourable for the prevention
of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and the enhancement of bone health.
These benefits are observed in adults in the older age
range, with or without existing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Hence inactive adults of the 65 years and
above age group, including those with NCDs, are likely to gain health benefits
by increasing their level of physical activity. If they cannot increase
activity to levels required to meet guidelines, they should be active to the
level their abilities and health conditions allow. Older adults who currently
do not meet the recommendations for physical activity should aim to increase
physical activity gradually, starting with increasing duration and frequency of
moderate-intensity activity before considering increasing the intensity to
vigorous-intensity activity. In addition, strong evidence indicates that being
physically active is associated with higher levels of functional health, a
lower risk of falling, and better cognitive function. [...]
In older adults with poor mobility, there is
consistent evidence that regular physical activity is safe and reduces risk of
falls by nearly 30%. For prevention of falls, most evidence supports a physical
activity pattern of balance training and moderate-intensity
muscle-strengthening activities three times per week. There is no evidence that
planned physical activity reduces falls in adults and older adults who are not
at risk of falls. Evidence specific for this age group related to the
maintenance or improvement of balance for those at risk of falling was reviewed
from the systematic reviews by Paterson (2007) and Patterson and Warburton
(2009).
WHO. Global recommendations on physical activity for health.
Age group; 65 years old and above 2017: 30-33.
No comments:
Post a Comment