Abstract
BackgroundRegular physical activity may improve different aspects of wellbeing in older people, such as quality of life, vitality and depression. However, there is little experimental evidence to support this assumption. Therefore, we examined the effect of different training protocols on quality of life, vitality and depression of older adults living in long-term care facilities.MethodsSubjects (n = 173, aged 64 to 94 years, living in long-term care facilities), were randomized to six months of three different moderate-intensity group exercise training protocols, or to an 'educational' control condition. Exercise consisted of two 45–60-minute training sessions per week of 1) resistance training; 2) all-round, functional training; or 3) a combination of both. Perceived health, the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), the Vitality Plus Scale (VPS) and the Dementia Quality of Life questionnaire (DQoL) were administered at baseline and after six months.ResultsIn the combined training group a small but significant decline was seen in perceived health, DQoL and VPS score compared to the control group.ConclusionsWe conclude that neither strength training nor all-round, functional training of moderate intensity is effective in improving quality of life, vitality or depression of older people living in long-term care facilities.
Highlights
Regular physical activity may improve different aspects of wellbeing in older people, such as quality of life, vitality and depression
Two other recent studies [2,3] found no improvement in their measures of well-being after 8 weeks resistance training or 17 weeks all-round, functional training, respectively
After adjusting for score at baseline, age, sex and class attendance a significant difference between the strength training and the control group was found in the Dementia Quality of Life Instrument (DQoL) aesthetics subscore
Summary
Regular physical activity may improve different aspects of wellbeing in older people, such as quality of life, vitality and depression. We examined the effect of different training protocols on quality of life, vitality and depression of older adults living in long-term care facilities. It is assumed that habitual exercise may improve subjective wellbeing in older people. Few randomized controlled trials studied the effects of exercise on wellbeing of older people and results are inconsistent. There is no standardized method to measure wellbeing, and all studies focus on different (page number not for citation purposes). Peel et al [1] reported a significant improvement in two out of eleven aspects of wellbeing (perceptions of limitations in physical function and emotional problems) after 8 weeks brisk walking and resistance exercise. Two other recent studies [2,3] found no improvement in their measures of well-being after 8 weeks resistance training or 17 weeks all-round, functional training, respectively
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