scholarly journals The Lifestyle-integrated Functional Exercise (LiFE) program and its modifications: a narrative review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie Hezel ◽  
Carlotta Körbi ◽  
Melissa Wolf ◽  
Michael Adams ◽  
Carl-Philipp Jansen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Information And Communications Technology ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Functional Exercise

AbstractLifestyle-integrated exercise is a promising approach to increase adherence levels of older adults compared to structured exercise programs as it saves time and effort and supports older adults in preventing falls and functional decline. The Lifestyle-integrated Functional Exercise (LiFE) program embodies this approach by integrating physical activity, balance, and strength activities into daily tasks of community-dwelling older adults aged 70+. A randomized controlled trial shows strong effectiveness of the original, resource-intensive one-on-one format of the LiFE program in terms of reducing falls, improving motor performance, and increasing physical activity. The positive effects of the original LiFE program have yet stimulated adaptions to group-based and information and communications technology-based formats, to younger seniors, for multicomponent interventions, and to populations with disabilities which resulted in 16 known studies about LiFE modifications. Evidence for the effectiveness of specific LiFE modifications exists for four programs, while seven adaptions are in the feasibility stage and one is still in the early development phase. A decade of existing LiFE research is summarized in this narrative review that, to the best of our knowledge, does not exist until now. The aim of this article is (1) to provide an overview of the number of LiFE modifications and their specifications, (2) to describe the current evidence regarding feasibility and effectiveness, and (3) to present challenges and potential of the different LiFE modifications. All adaptions of the LiFE program embody the benefits of the lifestyle-integrated approach and enable an enhancement of the successful LiFE concept.

scholarly journals Effects of Exercise on Cognitive Performance in Older Adults: A Narrative Review of the Evidence, Possible Biological Mechanisms, and Recommendations for Exercise Prescription

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adria Quigley ◽  
Marilyn MacKay-Lyons ◽  
Gail Eskes
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Vascular Function ◽  
Exercise Prescription ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Biological Mechanisms ◽  
Cognitive Improvement ◽  
Physical Activity And Exercise

Physical activity and exercise have emerged as potential methods to improve brain health among older adults. However, there are currently no physical activity guidelines aimed at improving cognitive function, and the mechanisms underlying these cognitive benefits are poorly understood. The purpose of this narrative review is to present the current evidence regarding the effects of physical activity and exercise on cognition in older adults without cognitive impairment, identify potential mechanisms underlying these effects, and make recommendations for exercise prescription to enhance cognitive performance. The review begins with a summary of evidence of the effect of chronic physical activity and exercise on cognition. Attention then turns to four main biological mechanisms that appear to underlie exercise-induced cognitive improvement, including the upregulation of growth factors and neuroplasticity, inhibition of inflammatory biomarker production, improved vascular function, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis regulation. The last section provides an overview of exercise parameters known to optimize cognition in older adults, such as exercise type, frequency, intensity, session duration, and exercise program duration.

scholarly journals 86 Developing the Adapted Lifestyle - Integrated Functional Exercise Programme in Thai Context (TLIFE) to Prevent Falls among Older Adults in Thailand: A Mixed Methods Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. iv18-iv27
Author(s):  
Sasiporn Ounjaichon ◽  
Chris Todd ◽  
Emma Stanmore ◽  
Elisabeth Boulton
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Retention Rate ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Exercise Programme ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Functional Exercise ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Abstract Introduction Falls are the leading cause of injuries in older Thai adults. There is a need to develop a fall prevention exercise programme to encourage participation and adherence. The adapted Lifestyle-integrated Functional Exercise (aLiFE) programme may be suitable by integrating exercise into daily routines as opposed to attending an exercise class. This study aimed to explore the acceptability and feasibility of the aLiFE programme in Thai context (TLiFE) among older Thai adults. Methods Based on the findings of a prior qualitative study, a feasibility randomised controlled trial (RCT) of TLiFE was conducted among community-dwelling older adults, comparing the TLiFE intervention group with a usual care control group. Outcome measures were analysed at baseline, 3 months, and after 6 months of the intervention. Results We recruited a total of 72 older adults into the RCT, randomised to TLiFE (n=36) and control (n=36). The retention rate at 6 months was 91.7%. Attendance in the intervention group (3 home visits and 4 follow-up calls) was 82.9%. There were no differences in fall incidence between the groups. The acceptability survey reveals TLiFE is easy to perform in daily life, safe, and useful. No adverse events were reported. Conclusion The TLiFE programme appears to be acceptable and feasible to deliver to community-dwelling older Thai adults. This feasibility study was not powered to detect a difference between groups. A further fully powered definitive randomised controlled trial of TLiFE is needed to evaluate long-term outcomes and cost-effectiveness before it is integrated within the healthcare system in Thailand.

scholarly journals Effects of Endurance-Focused Physical Activity Interventions on Brain Health

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon Halloway ◽  
JoEllen Wilbur ◽  
Michael E. Schoeny ◽  
Konstantinos Arfanakis
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Community Based ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Neurocognitive Measures ◽  
The Brain

Physical activity intervention studies that focus on improving cognitive function in older adults have increasingly used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures in addition to neurocognitive measures to assess effects on the brain. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify the effects of endurance-focused physical activity randomized controlled trial (RCT) interventions on the brain as measured by MRI in community-dwelling middle-aged or older adults without cognitive impairment. Five electronic databases were searched. The final sample included six studies. None of the studies reported racial or ethnic characteristics of the participants. All studies included neurocognitive measures in addition to MRI. Five of the six interventions included laboratory-based treadmill or supervised bike exercise sessions, while one included community-based physical activity. Physical activity measures were limited to assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness and, in one study, pedometer. Due to the lack of adequate data reported, effect sizes were calculated for only one study for MRI measures and two studies for neurocognitive measures. Effect sizes ranged from d = .2 to .3 for MRI measures and .2 to .32 for neurocognitive measures. Findings of the individual studies suggest that MRI measures may be more sensitive to the effects of physical activity than neurocognitive measures. Future studies are needed that include diverse, community-based participants, direct measures of physical activity, and complete reporting of MRI and neurocognitive findings.

scholarly journals Associations of Lifestyle Intervention Effect with Blood Pressure and Physical Activity among Community-Dwelling Older Americans with Hypertension in Southern California

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (16) ◽  
pp. 5673
Author(s):  
Mei-Lan Chen ◽  
Jie Hu ◽  
Thomas P. McCoy ◽  
Susan Letvak ◽  
Luba Ivanov
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Lifestyle Intervention ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Intervention Effects

A healthy lifestyle and regular physical activity are highly recommended for older adults. However, there has been limited research into testing lifestyle intervention effects on physical activity in older adults with hypertension. The purpose of this study was to assess the association of lifestyle intervention effects with physical activity and blood pressure in older adults with hypertension, accounting for social support and perceived stress as control variables. This study performed a secondary analysis of a two-arm randomized controlled trial. A total of 196 participants were randomly assigned to a six-month lifestyle intervention group or a control group. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses demonstrated that lifestyle intervention effects were not significantly associated with improvements in physical activity and blood pressure, but the final regression models were statistically significant (all p < 0.001). The result revealed that only physical activity frequency at baseline was significantly related to improvement in physical activity. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) at baseline and monthly income were significantly associated with change in SBP, while age and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at baseline were significantly related to change in DBP. The findings provide empirical evidence for developing and optimizing lifestyle interventions for future research and clinical practice in this population.

85 Exploring the Feasibility of the Adapted Lifestyle - Integrated Functional Exercise (ALIFE) Programme to Prevent Falls among Older Adults in Thailand

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. iv18-iv27
Author(s):  
Sasiporn Ounjaichon ◽  
Chris Todd ◽  
Emma Stanmore ◽  
Elisabeth Boulton
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Fall Prevention ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Exercise Programme ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Functional Exercise ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Abstract Background Falls are the leading cause of injuries in older adults in Thailand. Exercise appears to be a strategy to reduce falls. There is a need to develop a fall prevention exercise programme to encourage participation and adherence. The adapted Lifestyle-integrated Functional Exercise (aLiFE) programme may be suitable by integrating exercise into daily routines as opposed to attending an exercise class. This study aimed to explore the acceptability and feasibility of the aLiFE programme in older Thai adults and identify if modifications are necessary for this population. Method To obtain older Thai adults' perspectives and stakeholders’ views, 40 community-dwelling older adults aged ≥ 60 years, in urban and rural locations in Thailand, and 14 stakeholders (e.g. healthcare professionals) working with older Thai adults were included. Qualitative methods were used to conduct focus groups and in-depth interviews with older adults, and semi-structured interviews with stakeholders. Thematic analyses using Framework Approach were conducted. Results Findings revealed positive views and identified four themes including: (a) individual factors, (b) perceptions of aLiFE, (c) recommendations for implementing aLiFE in Thailand, and (d) motivation. Older participants expressed interest in performing aLiFE in their daily activities, although some activities may need to be modified to fit the Thai cultural context. Stakeholders were concerned about how to motivate older Thai adults to adhere to aLiFE. Healthcare professionals and family members could play a major role to support older adults in uptake of aLiFE. Benefits (e.g. independence and fall prevention) may motivate older adults to engage in aLiFE. Clear and simple instructions were requested. Conclusion The aLiFE programme should be feasible and acceptable among older Thai adults. The aLiFE programme has been appropriately modified to be ‘Thai LiFE (TLiFE)’. A feasibility randomised controlled trial of the TLiFE programme has been conducted in older Thai adults.

scholarly journals Effects of yoga on well-being and healthy ageing: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial (FitForAge)

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. e027386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josefine Östh ◽  
Vinod Diwan ◽  
Maria Jirwe ◽  
Vishal Diwan ◽  
Anita Choudhary ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Study Protocol ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Healthy Ageing ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Improve Health

IntroductionDue to ageing populations worldwide, the burden of disability is increasing. It is therefore important to develop interventions that improve healthy ageing, reduce disability onset and enhance life quality. Physical activity can promote healthy ageing and help maintain independence, yet many older adults are inactive. Yoga is a form of physical activity that aims to improve health and may be particularly suitable for older adults. Research indicates positive effects of yoga on several health-related outcomes; however, empirical studies examining the benefits of yoga on well-being among the elderly remain scarce. This study protocol reports the methodology for a 12-week yoga programme aimed to improve health and well-being among physically inactive older adults.Methods and analysisThree group parallel, single-blind randomised controlled trial. Two comparison groups are included: aerobic exercise and a non-active wait-list control. In total, 180 participants aged 65–85 years will be recruited. Assessments will be performed at baseline and postintervention (12-week follow-up). The primary outcome is subjective well-being. Secondary outcomes include physical activity/sedentary behaviour, mobility/fall risk, cognition, depression, anxiety, mood, stress, pain, sleep quality, social support and cardiometabolic risk factors. Data will be analysed using intention-to-treat analyses, with mixed linear modelling.Ethics and disseminationThis study is approved by the Ethical Review Board in Stockholm (2017/1862-31/2). All participants must voluntarily agree to participate and are free to withdraw from the study at any point. Written informed consent will be obtained from each participant prior to inclusion. Results will be available through research articles and conferences. A summary of key results will be publicly available through newspaper articles.Trial registration numberDRKS00015093, U1111-1217-4248

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