Exercise and Physical Activity for Older Adults

Part I. Foundations of Aging

Chapter 1. Aging, Physical Health, and Physical Activity
Danielle R. Bouchard, PhD, CSEP-CEP, and Sarah Webb, BSKin, CSEP-CPT
Defining Aging
Physical Activity, Exercise, and Sport
Common Conditions Associated With Aging
Summary
Review Questions

Chapter 2. Aging Theories
Theodore C. Goldsmith, BS
Evolutionary Mechanics Theories
Simple Damage and Fundamental Limitation Theories
Evolutionary Nonprogrammed Aging Theories
Evolutionary Programmed Aging Theories
Programmed Versus Nonprogrammed Aging Controversy
Medical Implications of Aging Theories
Life Span Extension Research
Anti-Aging Medicine
Policy, Ethics, and Social Issues Regarding Aging Theories
Summary
Review Questions

Chapter 3. Demographics Shift
Zachary Zimmer, PhD
History of Population Growth
Patterns of Population Ageing Today
Impact of Fertility Decline on Population Ageing
Impact of Mortality Decline on Population Ageing
The Compression of Morbidity
Summary
Review Questions

Part II. Physical Dimensions of Aging

Chapter 4. Body Composition and Age-Related Changes
Katherine Boisvert-Vigneault, MSc, and Isabelle J. Dionne, PhD
Measures of Changes in Body Composition
Fat-Free Mass
Bone Mass
Fat Mass
Co-Occurrence of Obesity, Sarcopenia, and Osteoporosis
Perspectives
Summary
Review Questions

Chapter 5. Musculoskeletal Changes
Martin Sénéchal, PhD, CEP, and Brittany Rioux, MSc
Overview of Skeletal Muscle
Skeletal Muscle Strength and Power Losses With Aging
Muscle Fibers and Aging
Muscle Groups, Actions, and Aging
Demographic Differences and Aging
Muscle Power and Aging
Physiological Mechanisms of the Loss of Skeletal Muscle Strength
Physiological Mechanisms of the Loss of Skeletal Muscle Power
Resistance Training to Improve Skeletal Muscle, Strength, and Power
Summary
Review Questions

Chapter 6. Cardiovascular Changes
Silvia Pogliaghi, MD, PhD, and Juan M. Murias, PhD
Anatomical Changes of the Heart and Vessels
Functional Changes of the Cardiovascular System
Cardiovascular Adaptations to Endurance Exercise Training
Future Directions
Summary
Review Questions

Chapter 7. Pulmonary Changes
Joseph W. Duke, PhD, and Andrew T. Lovering, PhD
Resting Pulmonary Function With Healthy Aging
Ventilatory Responses to Exercise With Healthy Aging
Pulmonary Circulation, Blood Flow, and Gas Exchange
Summary
Review Questions

Chapter 8. Endocrine System Changes
Anthony C. Hackney, PhD, DSc
Endocrine System Changes With Aging
Physical Activity, Lifestyle, and Endocrine System Function With Aging
Acute Exercise-Induced Hormone Responses in Older Adults
Further Research
Summary
Review Questions

Part III. Physical Implications of Aging

Chapter 9. Balance, Locomotion, and Falls
Debra J. Rose, PhD, FNAK
Age-Related Changes in Multiple Systems
Age-Associated Changes in Gait
Evaluating the Multiple Dimensions of Balance
Measuring Balance in Laboratory Settings
Measuring Balance in Clinical or Field Settings
Overview of the Gait Cycle
Measuring Gait in Clinical or Field Settings
Measuring Balance and Falls Self-Efficacy
Falling as a Result of Balance Failing
Designing Exercise Programs Aimed at Lowering Fall Incidence Rates
Summary
Review Questions

Chapter 10. Motor Control
Eduardo Martinez-Valdes, PT, MSc, PhD, and Alessandro M. De Nunzio, B. Eng., MSc, PhD
Motor Learning
Neural Plasticity
Decline in Motor Skills Induced by Aging
The Role of Exercise in Improving Motor Function
Future Research
Summary
Review Questions

Chapter 11. Physical Functions
Danielle R. Bouchard, PhD, CSEP-CEP, and Andrea Mayo, MSc
Defining Physical Function and Frailty
Consequences of Low Physical Function
Physical Function Associated With Aging
Measuring Physical Function
Measuring Frailty
Role of Physical Activity in Physical Function
Summary
Review Questions

Part IV. Exercise: A Powerful Prevention Tool

Chapter 12. Measurements of Exercise Specific to Older Adults
Kelliann K. Davis, PhD, FACSM, CCEP, and Daniel E. Forman, MD, FAHA, FACC
Clinical Perspectives
Pre-Exercise Screening and Considerations
Medication Considerations
Predictable Clinical Complexities Affecting Assessments
Exercise Testing
Balance and Gait Assessments
Summary
Review Questions

Chapter 13. Barriers and Solutions to Exercise Adherence
Mariana Wingood, PT, DPT, and Nancy Gell, PT, PhD, MPH
Social Ecological Framework
Physical Activity Recommendations for Older Adults
Physical Activity Adherence Factors
Screening and Assessment Tools for Barriers and Facilitators
Interventions to Promote Physical Activity
Considerations for Common Practice Settings and Diagnoses Among Older Adults
Summary
Review Questions

Chapter 14. Physical Activity and Exercise Recommendations for Functional Health
Gregory W. Heath, DHSc, MPH, and Danielle R. Bouchard, PhD, CSEP-CEP
Physical Activity Recommendations for the General Population
Choice of Physical Activity and Exercise for Older Adults
Sedentary Behavior and Physical Function
Improvement of Functional Health With Chronic Conditions
Implementing Physical Activity for Older Adults
Summary
Review Questions

Chapter 15. Exercise Recommendations for Masters Athletes
Nattai Borges, PhD, and Luke Del Vecchio, PhD
Masters Athletes
Physical Performance Benefits of Long-Term Systematic Training
Training Considerations for Masters Athletes
Endurance Performance and Age
Sprint Performance and Age
Strength and Power Performance and Age
Holistic Health Benefits of the Masters Athlete Lifestyle
Potential Negative Impacts of High-Level Training in Masters Sports
Summary
Review Questions

Go beyond aging theories and examine the physiological and physical impacts of aging. Exercise and Physical Activity for Older Adults takes a close look at the physical implications of the aging process and how health, physical activity, and exercise interact in aging adults.

With an international team of contributors composed of leading experts from across the field of gerontology, Exercise and Physical Activity for Older Adults delivers comprehensive, interdisciplinary coverage of the physical aging process and its effects on movement and exercise. Research on the physiological and physical implications of aging is presented, focusing on study outcomes and their practical application in optimizing healthy aging.

Presented in an integrated and cohesive manner, this text is organized into four parts.

• Part I covers the theoretical foundations of biological aging, the implications of aging theories on medical research, and the social and economic impacts of demographic shifts due to population aging and global population size.
• Part II addresses age-related changes to the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and endocrine systems.
• Part III covers the physical effects of aging on other dimensions of life, including balance, motor control, and physical functions.
• Part IV focuses on exercise and older adults, taking an in-depth look at exercise measurements and the main barriers to regular exercise. One full chapter is devoted to recommendations for optimizing health for the general public, while another chapter is focused on performance by elite older athletes who exercise beyond functional fitness.

Chapter objectives, end-of-chapter summaries, and review questions highlight key concepts and promote learning retention. Behavior Check sidebars look at the impacts of aging on behavior, how behavior affects physical health and activity, and how changes in behavior can improve everyday living. Functional Fitness Checkup sidebars focus on the performance of daily movements that are vital for older adults who want to maintain their physical independence. Putting It Into Practice elements provide examples of real-life application of the concepts presented, facilitating a practical understanding of how to use the content to benefit clients.

A definitive resource for students and health care professionals who study physical aging, conduct clinical research, or work with older adults as clients and patients, Exercise and Physical Activity for Older Adults helps readers understand the aging process and its effects on movement, exercise, and other dimensions of life.

Danielle R. Bouchard, PhD, CSEP-CEP, is an associate professor of kinesiology at the University of New Brunswick, and she is a codirector at the Cardiometabolic Exercise and Lifestyle Laboratory. She started her academic career at the Université de Moncton by studying physical education with a minor in biology. She went on to earn a master’s degree in exercise sciences from the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières. She was introduced to the field of physical activity for older adults when she completed her doctorate at the Université de Sherbrooke. Since then, she has been involved at different levels in encouraging older adults to become or stay active. The main focus of her research relates to clinical exercise physiology to test novel approaches to encourage inactive individuals—especially those with chronic conditions—to improve their physical capacities.

Bouchard is on the editorial board of the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity and has written numerous articles on the topic in key journals in addition to a contribution in the Handbook of Clinical Nutrition and Aging.