Effectiveness of physical activity interventions with healthy older women: a systematic review protocol

Abstract

Review question/objective The purpose of this review is to assess the effectiveness of physical activity interventions on the physical health outcomes of healthy older women living independently in the community. More specifically, the objectives are: 1. To systematically review randomized controlled studies of physical activity interventions designed to improve the physical health of healthy older women living independently in the community. 2. To appraise the effectiveness of physical activity interventions for older women on their physical health outcomes, including physical fitness. 3. To identify implications for policy and practice to promote physical activity in older women. Inclusion criteria Types of participants This review will consider studies in which the majority of women are 50 years and older who live independently in the community. To ensure that the data extracted is not confounded by numerous variables, studies that target women diagnosed with specific conditions such as arthritis, heart disease, stroke, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, bone density, obesity, depression, urinary incontinence and so on will not be included in this systematic review. However, interventions that target participants with risk factors for disease (e.g. cardiovascular, osteoporosis) but which are not diagnosed will be included in this review. Types of intervention(s)/phenomena of interest This review will consider randomized controlled studies of laboratory-, home- and community-based physical activity interventions with the specific goal of improving the physical health of older women living independently in the community. Types of outcomes This review will consider studies that include one of the following outcome measures: 1) cardiorespiratory (e.g. pulse, heart rate, blood pressure, aerobic capacity); 2) body composition (e.g. BMI, waist circumference, hip/waist ratio, % body fat); 3) flexibility (e.g. stretching, balance); and 4) muscular strength and endurance (e.g. grip strength, walking speed).