Research Article, J Athl Enhanc Vol: 6 Issue: 3
Effects of Physical Activity on Functional Health of Older Adults: A Systematic Review
Michael Huen Sum LAM1, Yang Lei2, Roberta Kwan Sum HO3, Bryan Chun Man CHEUNG3, Doris Shuk Ting LO4, Lily Hongli SUN4, Cherrie Chung Yan LAI4, Winnie Ka Man TAM5, Stella Sin Tung KWOK6, Stuart W Flint7, Rebecca Peake8, Ka Yiu LEE9*
1Overall Programme Director, Collaborative Bachelor and Master Degree, Vocational Training Council (VTC), Hong Kong (HK)
2Institute of Physical Education, University of Jinan, Shandong, China
3Department of Hotel, Service and Tourism Studies, VTC, HK
4Programme Director of Collaborative Bachelor Degree, VTC, HK
5Department of Hotel, Service and Tourism Studies, VTC, HK
6Research Support Unit, VTC, HK
7Leeds Beckett University, England
8Academy of Sport and Physical Activity, Sheffield Hallam University, United Kingdom
9Programme Director of Collaborative Bachelor Degree, VTC, Hong Kong
*Corresponding Author : Ka Yiu LEE
Programme Director of Collaborative Bachelor Degree, VTC, 3/F, Admin Block, VTC, Shing Tai Road Hong Kong
E-mail: kyle2015@vtc.edu.hk
Received: March 07, 2017 Accepted: April 11, 2017 Published: April 16, 2017
Citation: Michael Huen Sum LAM, Lam MHS, Lei Y, Roberta Kwan Sum HO, Cheung BCM, Doris Shuk Ting LO, et al. (2017) Effects of Physical Activity on Functional Health of Older Adults: A Systematic Review. J Athl Enhanc 6:3. doi: 10.4172/2324-9080.1000260
Abstract
Reviews on the relationships between functional health and physical activity of general older adults have been well documented in literature. However, specific age range of older adults, in particular, older adults of 75 years or above, is currently under-examined. A systematic review was conducted to investigate the effects of physical activity on functional health older adults aged 75 years or above. The reviewed articles cover a variety range of functional health outcomes, including balance, muscle conditioning, joint range of motion, quadriceps strength, reaction time, gait speed, health-related quality of life, back and knee pain, muscle mass, and walking ability. In general, interventions of the reviewed articles had favorable effects on function health of older adults. While physical activity has been identified as an important determinant of functional health, the ways to engage in and accumulate sufficient daily physical activity warrant investigation. It is also important to explore interventions which enhance daily, self-driven physical activity of elderly, as normally supervised physical activity bears higher costs.
