Review: Exercise for diseases that limit movement in the elderly
Researchers from Keio University School of Medicine, in Tokyo, Japan make concise conclusions.
Here are the highlights.
Lumbar spinal stenosis
- There’s insufficient evidence to support the effectiveness of exercise.
- Spinal stenosis is a condition where the spinal canal narrows, compressing the spinal cord and nerves.
Mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the knee
- Muscle strengthening and aerobic exercises reduce pain and improve physical function.
Postmenopausal women
- Aerobics, weight bearing and resistance exercises increase bone mineral density of the spine.
- Walking is beneficial to the hips.
The elderly
- Muscle strengthening, balance training, and traditional Chinese tai chi reduce the risk of falling.
The bottom line?
The authors recommend to select appropriate exercises for elderly patients — especially those with mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the knee or osteoporosis.
11/29/09 20:28 JR