A New Functional Tasks Exercise Program for Women Which is Better: Exercise to Improve Function or Strength? Effects of Exercise on Daily Tasks for Older Adults

Climbing stairs, getting out of a chair, or even making the bed can be hard tasks to perform as we age. Almost half of all adults 85 or older need help with daily activities. Does it have to be this way, or can exercise help reverse the decline in function as we age?

Researchers used two groups of women ages 70 to 91 to compare the effects of two different exercise programs on daily function. Both groups exercised one hour three times a week for 12 weeks. The first group carried out a functional tasks exercise group. This program consisted of walking, climbing stairs, or getting out of bed while doing something else.

For example sometimes the women walked through an obstacle course carrying objects or lifting and carrying weights. Other exercises included picking up sandbags from the floor and putting them in a bucket. Stair climbing while lifting or carrying light to heavy objects was also part of the program. All activities mimicked tasks done everyday.

The second group did a resistance exercise program. They used hand held weights and elastic tubing to resist movement. Wrist, elbow, shoulder, ankle, knee, hip, and trunk exercises were done. In both groups exercises were made harder when the women were ready for more. The functional group increased the weight carried or distance walked. The resistance group added weights or shortened up the elastic tubing.

Researchers measured satisfaction with the exercise program and change in physical function. Surveys of opinion, muscle strength, and specific tests of function were given to each woman. When the two groups were compared, here’s what the authors found:

  • The resistance group liked the program better than the function group. They were more likely to do the exercises.
  • The resistance group felt they were getting an effect from the exercises; most of the women in the function group didn’t think it seemed much like exercise until about six weeks into the program.
  • By the end of the 12 week session, the function group wanted to keep exercising in the same way; the resistance group wanted to do some other kind of exercises.

    Overall the resistance exercise program was preferred by the women in this study but the function group improved in performance of daily activities.