The effectiveness of physical leisure time activities on the older adultʼs physical functioning: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Review Questions/Objectives The objective of this systematic review is to synthesise the best available evidence on the effectiveness of physical leisure time activities on older adult’s physical functioning including gait speed, grip strength, six-minute walk, balance, activity of daily living(ADL). Types of participants This review will consider the older adults over 60 years old living in the community, and long-term care facility participating in physical leisure time activities. The exclusion criteria include the following: intellectual or psychiatric disability such as dementia; history of any illness contraindicating physical activity or limiting participation in the physical activity program; communication problems, and taking medication such as psychotherapeutic agents and skeletal muscle relaxants known to affect activities such as gait speed, grip strength, six-minute walk, balance , or activity of daily living (ADL). Types of Interventions Regular leisure time activities on older adults are defined as as at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity throughout the week or do at least 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity throughout the week or an equivalent combination of moderate and vigorous-intensity activity. The review will consider studies on the effectiveness of regular time activities to improve the elderly’s physical functioning, including the following forms of exercise: The leisure time activities will include but are not limited to: 1.jogging 2.tai chi exercise 3.walking 4.cycling 5.swimming 6.gardening 7.gigong(an ancient Chinese breathing exercise that combines aerobics, isometric, and isotonic movements and meditation) Types of outcomes The outcome measures will include, but are not limited to: (1) gait speed (2) grip strength (3) six-minute walk (4) balance (5) activity of daily living(ADL)