Upper body and neck range of motion (ROM) are important for safe walking and driving. The purpose of this study was to determine whether stretching would improve neck, trunk, and shoulder ROM. Forty-eight community-dwelling women (75 ± 3 years of age) were randomly allocated to intervention (upper body stretching, n = 15) and control conditions (lower body power training, n = 33). All participants exercised in supervised 45-minute sessions twice weekly for 12 weeks. Testing of upper body ROM included a cervical ROM, device-based measurement and field tests of the neck, trunk, and shoulder ranges. Shoulder ROM was the only movement that improved in the intervention group beyond levels seen in control participants (33% increase, p < 0.01). Neck and trunk ROM did not change in response to a specific stretching program. Older adults with ROM limitations may need to explore other exercise options or focus on compensatory strategies for safe community mobility.

Our pilot study evaluated the feasibility, effectiveness, and implementation of a group-based lifestyle-integrated functional exercise (Mi-LiFE) program for older adults in an interprofessional primary care practice. A physical therapist taught participants how to integrate strength and balance activities into daily routines during one individual and four group sessions, and two follow-up phone calls. Feasibility outcomes were recruitment, adherence, and retention over 6 months. Physical activity (PA) (accelerometer, International Physical Activity Questionnaire [IPAQ]), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and health-related quality of life (EuroQol Five-Dimensional Questionnaire with 3 Levels [EQ5D-3L]) were evaluated at baseline and 6 months. Of the 123 eligible individuals, 39 per cent participated and 61 per cent were not interested or unreachable. Forty-eight participants (mean ± standard deviation [SD] age = 81 ± 5 years; body mass index [BMI] = 28 ± 5 kg/m2; 60% women; moderate-to-vigorous PA = 49 ± 87 minutes/week) enrolled. Four participants withdrew prior to intervention. Thirty-two participants (67%) were retained at follow-up. Daily diary-documented adherence was 50 per cent at 6 months, and 77 per cent attended more than four sessions. No statistically significant changes in moderate-to-vigorous PA and SPPB outcomes were observed; yet self-reported strength and balance PA and quality of life significantly improved at follow-up. The Mi-LiFE program is feasible with acceptable recruitment and attendance rates alongside modifications to address retention and adherence challenges. These findings inform the feasibility of future pragmatic exercise programs in primary care for older adults.

This study explored the efficacy of aerobic training (AT) in mitigating white matter hyperintensity (WMH) progression and whether these changes are sex dependent. This was an exploratory analysis of a randomized controlled trial assessing the effect of AT on cognition in people with vascular cognitive impairment. Participants were randomized to a 6 month AT or usual care (control [CON]) group. A subset completed magnetic resonance imaging to quantify WMH volume. Using an analysis of covariance model, we found a significant sex × group interaction (p = .03). Over the 6 month study, AT females demonstrated greater WMH progression than CON females (p = .05). Among males, there was no significant between-group difference (p = .31). Within the AT group, males demonstrated significantly less WMH progression than females (p = .01) at 6 months. Therefore, the effects of AT on WMH progression may vary by sex; that is, AT may curtail WMH progression in males but not females.

Exercise has potential to mitigate morbidity in knee osteoarthritis (OA). Participants with knee OA were randomized to a Square-stepping Exercise (SSE) group (2x/week for 24 weeks) or a control group. We assessed the feasibility of SSE and its effectiveness on symptoms (WOMAC), balance (Fullerton), mobility, and walking speed at 12 and 24 weeks. The SSE group had a 49.3% attendance rate and trended toward improvement in the 30-second chair stand at 12 (F = 1.8, p = .12, ηp2 = 0.16), and 24 weeks, (F = 3.4, p = .09, ηp2 = 0.18), and walking speed at 24 weeks, compared to controls. There were no differences in symptoms or balance. The low attendance and recruitment demonstrated limited feasibility of SSE in adults with knee OA. Trends suggest the potential for SSE to improve lower extremity functional fitness and walking speed. SSE should be further studied for effectiveness on symptoms and balance, in addition to improving feasibility.

In light of recent social pressures leading to a reimagining of the “Third Age” as a time of constant activity rather than repose and relaxation, this article explores the pressure on individuals to age “successfully” by engaging in physical activity in later life. Through semi-structured interviews with 15 retired or semi-retired gym-goers (eight women and seven men), the article examines how this call to increased activity impacts the ways active mid-life and older adults understand themselves and others. Drawing on Foucault’s understandings of the productive nature of power, we argue that those who perceive themselves as successfully heeding the call to active aging position themselves in contrast to inactive peers. Within a neoliberal framework, these participants self-identify as morally responsible citizens who, as a result of engagement in fitness activities, are authorized to survey and discipline the bodies of those “others” who will not or cannot engage in regular exercise.

This study examined six- and 12-month levels of adherence to physical activity, functional changes, and psychosocial determinants of physical activity in 176 older adults who participated in the “Get Fit for Active Living (GFAL)” pilot program. Functional and psychosocial measures were conducted in person at six months; psychosocial measures and physical activity participation were assessed by telephone interview at 12 months. Ninety-five per cent were retained in the study at the six-month follow-up, and 88 per cent at 12 months. The self-reported adherence rate to exercise at 12 months was 66 per cent. The main reason for continued exercise participation was to maintain health (45%). Reasons for nonadherence were illness (38%) and lack of motivation (32%). Results identify factors associated with positive behaviour change that health promoters can utilize when targeting the older adult population. The GFAL project results can serve as a model for sustainable, community-based older-adult exercise programs.

This pilot study examined changes in physical activity and function among older adults moving from community dwellings to retirement living. Twelve community-dwelling older adults, recruited from the wait-lists of two retirement living facilities, were assessed prior to and following the transition to retirement living. Physical activity was assessed using an Actigraph (GT3X+) activity monitor; physical activity by type was reported with the CHAMPS activity questionnaire. Physical function was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test. Objectively monitored total physical activity decreased after the transition to retirement living (p = 0.02). Reports of physical activity by type indicated that only activities of daily living decreased (p < 0.01) although intentional exercise increased (p < 0.03) with the transition. Endurance and strength also improved (p < 0.05 and p < 0.04). Pilot results indicate that possible physical benefits accrue from retirement living, although efforts to reduce sedentary time are needed.

The Seniors Support Services for South Asian Community (S4AC) project was developed in response to the underutilization of available recreation and seniors’ facilities by South Asian seniors who were especially numerous in a suburban neighbourhood in British Columbia. Addressing the problem required the collaboration of the municipality and a registered non-profit agency offering a wide range of services and programs to immigrant and refugee communities. Through creative outreach and accommodation, the project has engaged more than 100 Punjabi-speaking seniors annually in diverse exercise activities. Case study research methods with staff and current and former senior participants of S4AC include participant observation, individual interviews, and focus groups. Viewed through the critical interpretive lens of the “candidacy framework”, findings reveal the myriad ways in which access to health promotion and physical activity for immigrant older adults is a complex iterative process of negotiation at multiple levels.

This study examined factors affecting adherence in a 16-week tai chi program among multi-ethnic middle-aged and older adults living in a low socioeconomic environment in Toronto. Analysis was based on data collected from three tai chi program cohorts that took place from August 2009 to March 2012. The main outcome variable, adherence, was measured by the total number of sessions attended by each of the participants. Total sample size was 210 participants with a mean age of 68.1 ± 8.6. Based on the regression model, greater adherence was significantly associated with older age, greater perceived stress, higher education, and higher mental and physical scores of Short Form-36 components. Conversely, lower adherence was significantly associated with higher baseline weekly physical activity. Our findings suggest that we target less-educated individuals with poor mental and physical health to optimize adherence for future community-based tai chi programs.

Aging is associated with increased intestinal inflammation and elevated risk of chronic diseases including inflammatory bowel diseases and colon cancer; many epidemiologic studies show that regular exercise reduces risk. This study examined the effects of long-term voluntary exercise on inflammatory mediators expressed in the intestine of older (15–16 months), healthy C57BL/6 mice. Animals were assigned to four months of freewheel running (WR; n = 20) or to a “sedentary” no wheel running (NWR; n = 20) control group. Intestinal lymphocytes were harvested and analysed for expression of (1) pro-inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1β) and pleiotropic (IL-6) cytokines, and (2) pro-(caspase-3/-7) and anti-(Bcl-2) apoptotic proteins. Training was confirmed by skeletal muscle enzyme activity; stress was assessed by plasma 8-iso-PGF2α and corticosterone. The WR mice had a lower expression of TNF-α, caspase-7, and 8-isoprostanes (p < .05) compared to sedentary controls, suggesting that long-term exercise may “protect” the bowel by reducing inflammatory cytokine and apoptotic protein expression.

Contractile, histochemical and biochemical properties of the triceps surae were compared in 13 aerobically trained male subjects aged 63 to 76 years. Electrical stimulation of the triceps surae was used to determine muscle twitch, tetanic, and fatigue parameters. From these tests, twitch tension (Pt), time to peak tension (TPT), half relaxation time (RT), tetanic tensions at 10(Po10), 20(Po20), and 50(Po50) Hz and a fatigue index (FI) were calculated. Muscle samples from the belly of the lateral head of the gastrocnemius were obtained using the needle biopsy technique. A portion of each sample was tested histochemically for myosin ATPase (pH 4.30, 4.58 and 10.00) and NADH-tetrazolium reductase in order to classify fibre types (ST, FTa, FTb) and to determine fibre areas. The remainder of each sample was analysed for succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) and phosphofructokinase (PFK) enzyme activities. Significant correlations were found between fibre areas (both ST and FT) and Po10/Po50 and FI. No significant relationships were noted between Pt, 1/2RT and MVC and any histochemical parameter. SDH and PFK activities did not correlate significantly with any histochemical or physiological parameter. Regular endurance exercise apparently does not retard the decline in contractile properties seen with the aging process. Substrate related regulatory enzyme activities (PFK) and marker enzyme activities (SDH) from skeletal muscle of the elderly are much lower than activities found in younger subjects, despite regular aerobic exercise.

Drawing from the health belief model, cues to action have been theorized to influence health behaviours; however, few studies have examined these constructs explicitly. This study investigated the relationship between information cues to action and exercise self-care. It was hypothesized that reading about illness information, knowing about services, and consulting with others about one's illness triggers exercise self-care. The sample consisted of 879 chronically ill adults aged 50 and over, drawn from the Vancouver North Shore Self-Care Study. It was found that the odds of exercising almost doubled for readers of information about illness (compared to non-readers), after controlling for socio-demographic factors, illness context, and illness efficacy. Furthermore, knowledge of services and consultations were shown to increase the odds of exercise self-care. These findings provide support for the salience of cues to action as a pivotal theoretical construct. The implications of these findings for health promotion programs targeting persons with chronic illnesses are discussed.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of the 6-minute and 2-minute walk tests in frail older persons.

Design: Pre/post–design with measures at admission and discharge to in-patient geriatric rehabilitation.

Participants: Fifty-two subjects (35 women, 17 men; age 80 ± 8 years).

Results: Only 1 of the first 8 subjects could complete a single trial of the 6-minute walk test at admission. The 2-minute walk test was feasible in this population, with 50 (out of 52) subjects able to complete at least one trial at admission. There was an increase in distance walked when three trials of the 2-minute walk were performed, at both admission and discharge (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion: The 2-minute walk test is a feasible measure of functional capacity and was better tolerated than the 6-minute walk test in older persons in geriatric rehabilitation. Consideration needs to be given to the potential of a training effect or the need for repeated measures to obtain a best estimate for the 2-minute walk test.