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Original Research

Noteworthy Comment: Although prolongation of life remains an important public health goal, of even greater significance is that extended life should involve preservation of the capacity to live independently and to function well. Since reduced mobility poses a risk for the loss of independence and compromises quality of life, an important challenge for public health is to identify interventions that might prevent major mobility disability in at-risk aging populations. Such interventions to oppose sarcopenia, perhaps the primary factor contributing to age-associated loss of independence include specific nutritional supplements, behavioral modification programs and regular physical exercise designed to be compatible with each individual’s performance capability.
The present study was designed to compare the effects of a supervised moderate-intensity physical activity (PA) program in conjunction with a successful aging (SA) health education program on the incidence of major mobility disability in sedentary older persons, 70-89 years of age having objectively measured functional limitations. An important feature of the intervention was that it facilitated development of favorable social cognitions related to physical activity. The authors found that group-mediated interventions are particularly effective for promoting behavior change among older adults for several reasons. The social environment of the group is valued independently of the behavior being promoted and serves to enhance regular attendance. Participants are often motivated by the persistence of more disabled peer group members, and benefit from witnessing individuals who reinitiate physical activity after significant health events. The group also becomes a means of promoting important self-regulatory behaviors and a venue for instilling pride in accomplishments.

This information in this paper provides a valuable foundation for subsequent exercise trials in older adults and will be important to those whose goal is to design dissemination research on this important topic.

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Promoting physical activity for elders with compromised function: the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) Study physical activity intervention

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