Abstract
Introduction: Older people have limitations in their functional and regenerative abilities, and are more prone to diseases and infirmities, when compared to younger adults. Ageing is seen to decrease physical fitness, which includes the components of endurance, strength, flexibility and agility. This decrease can lead to difficulties in functioning normally and carrying out activities of daily living. Exercise training has been seen to have positive effects on fitness levels, cardio-respiratory functions, fall risk and cognitive function in elderly individuals.
Aim: To study the effect of a multi-component exercise program on functional mobility, functional exercise capacity and quality of life in elderly individuals.
Materials and Methods: A total of 30 older adults above the age of 65 years, who were able to ambulate independently and able to understand instructions, and who did not suffer from severe musculoskeletal, neurological or cardiopulmonary disease were given an exercise program of 10 weeks duration which comprised of aerobic, resistance, functional and balance training components. The subjects were assessed using the 8-foot up and go test (8 UG) for functional mobility, Six Minute Walk Test (6 MWT) for functional exercise capacity and short form 36 scale (SF-36) for quality of life at baseline and every two weeks up to the end of the intervention.
Results: Paired t-test results for the three outcome measures namely 8 UG, 6MWT and SF-36 showed a significant difference in all three measures when post-intervention scores were compared with pre-intervention scores (p<0.01). Multivariate analysis was done to test the significance of the values obtained at intervals of two weeks during the intervention, which showed that, all the three outcome measures showed a significant difference between the weeks (p<0.01).
Conclusion: A 10-week multi-component exercise program comprising of aerobic, resistance, functional and balance exercises significantly improved the mobility, functional exercise capacity and health- related quality of life in elderly individuals.