There now exists a wealth of data which states that the incidence of mortality due to chronic lifestyle diseases decreases when the daily physical activity is increased. A regular physical activity in terms of commuting via walking or cycling, keeping self busy with some occupational work, with activities like dancing, gardening, sports, household chores and other leisure time activities, and getting involved in community and family activities. 

The major issues in geriatric age group are increased frequency of falls, gait disorders, cognitive impairment, weakened bones, sleep disorders, urinary incontinence, degenerative arthritic pains and various cardio-metabolic disorders.  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the American Heart Association (AHA) has given specific guidelines for physical activity/ exercises for all age groups. The older adults with or without functional limitations and clinically significant chronic conditions are men and women age 50 years and above. 

The recommendations state that (Nelson ME et al. 2007)·      

  • Perform moderate-intensity aerobic (endurance) physical activity for a minimum of 30 min on five days each week or vigorous-intensity aerobic activity for a minimum of 20 min on three days each week.
    • On a 10-point scale, where sitting is 0 and all-out effort is 10, moderate-intensity activity is a 5 or 6 and produces noticeable increases in heart rate and breathing and vigorous-intensity activity is a 7 or 8 and produces large increases in heart rate and breathing.   
  • Combinations of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity can be performed to meet this recommendation·      
  • At least twice each week older adults should perform muscle strengthening activities using the major muscles of the body that maintain or increase muscular strength and endurance. Recommended that 8–10 exercises be performed on at least two nonconsecutive days per week using the major muscle groups·      
  • Because of the dose-response relationship between physical activity and health, older persons who wish to further improve their personal fitness, reduce their risk for chronic diseases and disabilities, or prevent unhealthy weight gain will likely benefit by exceeding the minimum recommended amount of physical activity·      
  • Flexibility on at least two days each week for at least 10 min each day and include balance and gait training to reduce the incidence of fall.
  • Older adults with one or more medical conditions for which physical activity is therapeutic should perform physical activity in a manner that effectively and safely treats the condition·     
  • Those with chronic conditions for which activity is therapeutic should have a single plan that integrates prevention and treatment. For older adults who are not active at recommended levels, plans should include a gradual (or stepwise) approach to increase physical activity over time. Many months of activity at less than recommended levels is appropriate for some older adults (e.g., those with low fitness) as they increase activity in a stepwise manner. Older adults should also be encouraged to self-monitor their physical activity on a regular basis and to reevaluate plans as their abilities improve or as their health status changes.

The researches has shown that with regular physical activity and supervised graded physiotherapy there is reduction in arthritic pain, reduce frequency of falls, increased generalized strength, improved body and bone composition, and reduce depression. Regular exercises reduce the risk of cardio-metabolic diseases like coronary artery disease and diabetes, and have improved longevity also.  

“Regular physical activity, including aerobic activity and muscle-strengthening activity, is essential for healthy aging”