Effectiveness and characteristics of physical training on aerobic capacity in vulnerable older people: an overview of systematic reviews

BMJ open. 2022 May 31;12(5):e058056. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058056.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To present an overview of the effectiveness and training characteristics of physical training on aerobic fitness, compared to alternative training or no training, in adults over the age of 65 with various health conditions, providing a basis for guidelines for aerobic training of vulnerable older people that can be used in geriatric rehabilitation.

DESIGN: A general review of systematic reviews that included both randomized controlled trials and other types of trials.

DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and The Cochrane Library were accessed September 9, 2019.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR STUDY SELECTION: We included systematic reviews reporting physical training interventions believed to improve aerobic capacity, reporting results for adults aged 65 and older, describing at least one of the FITT characteristics: frequency, intensity, duration or type. exercise and measure aerobic capacity at least before and after the intervention.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed risk of bias. A narrative synthesis was carried out.

RESULTS: We included 51 articles from 49 reviews. A positive effect of training on aerobic capacity was reported by 33 reviews, 11 reviews remained inconclusive and 5 reviews reported no effect. The characteristics of the formation varied considerably. Frequency: 1-35 sessions/week, Intensity: light-vigorous, Duration:

CONCLUSION: Physical training can be effective for vulnerable older people. The exercise characteristics of the current existing guidelines are broadly applicable, although lower frequencies and intensities are also beneficial. For some conditions, adjustments are advised.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020140575.

PMID:35641014 | DO I:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058056