Frail Institutionalized Older Persons A Comprehensive Review on Physical Exercise, Physical Fitness, Activities of Daily Living, and Quality-of-Life

Elizabeth Weening-Dijksterhuis*, Mathieu H. G. de Greef, Erik J. A. Scherder, Joris P. J. Slaets, Cees P. van der Schans

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

119 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Weening-Dijksterhuis E, de Greef MHG, Scherder EJA, Slaets JPJ, van der Schans CP: Frail institutionalized older persons: A comprehensive review on physical exercise, physical fitness, activities of daily living, and quality-of-life. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2011;90:156Y168.

The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review on training outcomes influencing physical fitness, activity of daily living performance, and quality-of-life in institutionalized older people. We reviewed 27 studies on older people (age, >= Q70 yrs) in long-term care facilities and nursing homes. Our ultimate goal was to propose criteria for an evidence-based exercise protocol aimed at improving physical fitness, activity of daily living performance, and quality-of-life of frail institutionalized older people. The interventions, described in the reviewed studies that showed strong or very strong effect sizes were used to form an exercise prescription. The conclusion is that there is firm evidence for training effects on physical fitness, functional performance, activity of daily living performance, and quality-of-life. The training should contain a combination of progressive resistance training, balance training, and functional training. The proposed intensity is moderate to high, assessed on a O-10 scale for muscle strengthening activities. The training frequency was three times a week, and the total duration was at least 10 wks.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)156-168
Number of pages13
JournalAmerican Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume90
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb-2011

Keywords

  • Frail Elderly People
  • Institutionalized
  • Physical Exercise
  • RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED-TRIAL
  • RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES
  • NURSING-HOME RESIDENTS
  • INJURY PREVENTION
  • FALL PREVENTION
  • PROGRAM
  • PEOPLE
  • ADULTS
  • INTERVENTION
  • DISABILITY

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