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Sports Medicine - Open
Published in: Sports Medicine - Open 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Systematic Review

Effect of Low-intensity Exercise on Physical and Cognitive Health in Older Adults: a Systematic Review

Authors: Andy C. Y. Tse, Thomson W. L. Wong, Paul H. Lee

Published in: Sports Medicine - Open | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

It is well known that physical exercise is important to promote physical and cognitive health in older population. However, inconsistent research findings were shown regarding exercise intensity, particularly on whether low-intensity exercise (1.5 metabolic equivalent tasks (METs) to 3.0 METs) can improve physical and cognitive health of older adults. This systematic review aimed to fill this research gap. The objective of this study is to conduct a systematic review of the effectiveness of low-intensity exercise interventions on physical and cognitive health of older adults.

Methods

Published research was identified in various databases including CINAHL, MEDLINE, PEDro, PubMed, Science Direct, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science. Research studies published from January 01, 1994 to February 01, 2015 were selected for examination. Studies were included if they were published in an academic peer-reviewed journal, published in English, conducted as randomized controlled trial (RCT) or quasi-experimental studies with appropriate comparison groups, targeted participants aged 65 or above, and prescribed with low-intensity exercise in at least one study arm. Two reviewers independently extracted the data (study, design, participants, intervention, and results) and assessed the quality of the selected studies. Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Quality index ranged from 15 to 18 mean = 18.3 with a full score of 28, indicating a moderate quality. Most of the outcomes reported in these studied were lower limb muscle strength (n = 9), balancing (n = 7), flexibility (n = 4), and depressive symptoms (n = 3).

Results

Out of the 15 selected studies, 11 reported improvement in flexibility, balancing, lower limb muscle strength, or depressive symptoms by low-intensity exercises.

Conclusions

The current literature suggests the effectiveness of low-intensity exercise on improved physical and cognitive health for older adults. It may be a desired intensity level in promoting health among older adults with better compliance, lower risk of injuries, and long-term sustainability.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Effect of Low-intensity Exercise on Physical and Cognitive Health in Older Adults: a Systematic Review
Authors
Andy C. Y. Tse
Thomson W. L. Wong
Paul H. Lee
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Sports Medicine - Open / Issue 1/2015
Print ISSN: 2199-1170
Electronic ISSN: 2198-9761
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-015-0034-8

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