Functional impairment becomes increasingly prevalent with age. Declines in performance of the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems, whether from specific diseases, undernutrition, or aging itself, may be associated with impaired functional abilities. However, it is not known if improvements in muscle function and endurance capacity achieved in such a population would result in improved functional independence as well. The proposed investigation would test the hypothesis that a year- long exercise intervention in elderly women would result in clinically important health benefits as defined by measures of functional status and ambulatory abilities. In addition, the critical relationships between nutritional status, energy expenditure, body composition, physical functioning, and response to training in elderly women will be explored. One hundred community-dwelling women over the age of 70 with mild to moderate functional impairment will be enrolled in a one year controlled clinical trial. Subjects will be randomized to an experimental group which will participate in three days per week of endurance and strength training or a control group which will receive weekly mild stretching exercises only. High intensity resistance training of the upper and lower extremities will be achieved using dynamic weight machines and static forearm exercise. Walking and stair climbing at moderate intensity will comprise the endurance training intervention. At baseline, 6 months, and post-training, subjects will be characterized with respect to their body composition, nutritional status, endurance capacity, muscle strength, gait and balance, functional status, and physical and psychological health.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AG011812-05
Application #
2413327
Study Section
Biological and Clinical Aging Review Committee (BCA)
Project Start
1993-05-10
Project End
1999-04-30
Budget Start
1997-05-01
Budget End
1999-04-30
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
1997
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Tufts University
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
604483045
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02111
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Hausdorff, J M; Nelson, M E; Kaliton, D et al. (2001) Etiology and modification of gait instability in older adults: a randomized controlled trial of exercise. J Appl Physiol 90:2117-29
Hausdorff, J M; Rios, D A; Edelberg, H K (2001) Gait variability and fall risk in community-living older adults: a 1-year prospective study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 82:1050-6
Foldvari, M; Clark, M; Laviolette, L C et al. (2000) Association of muscle power with functional status in community-dwelling elderly women. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 55:M192-9