Effectiveness of a Lifestyle Physical Activity Versus a Structured Exercise Intervention in Older Adults
in Journal of Aging and Physical ActivityClick name to view affiliation
Search for other papers by Evelien Van Roie in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Christophe Delecluse in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Joke Opdenacker in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Katrien De Bock in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Eva Kennis in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Filip Boen in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Two groups of sedentary older adults, participating in either a lifestyle physical activity intervention (LIFE, n = 60) or a structured exercise intervention (STRU, n = 60), were compared with a control group (CO, n = 66) in terms of physical fitness and cardiovascular risk factors. Participants in LIFE were stimulated to integrate physical activity into their daily routines and received an individualized home-based program. Participants in STRU completed 5 supervised training sessions every 2 wk in a fitness center. Both interventions lasted 11 months and focused on endurance, strength, flexibility, and postural/balance exercises. The results revealed that the interventions were equally effective in improving functional performance. STRU was more effective than LIFE in improving cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness. Limited effects emerged on cardiovascular risk, with STRU improving in total cholesterol and HDL. Consequently, interventions aiming at reducing cardiovascular risks among sedentary elderly should focus on long-term changes in physical activity behavior.
Van Roie, Delecluse, De Bock, and Kennis are with the Dept. of Biomedical Kinesiology, and Opde-nacker and Boen, the Dept. of Human Kinesiology, Leuven Catholic University, Leuven, Belgium.
© 2023 Human Kinetics