Effectiveness of community-based physical activity models in improving quality of life among elderly: a systematic review

Key Points

1. Community-based physical activity programs improve physical, cognitive, and mental health outcomes in older adults.

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BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Community physical activity programs are a natural progression after a patient is discharged from physical therapy. These programs have the potential to continue improving an older adult’s gains made during physical therapy, including improved aerobic capacity, lower extremity strength, and balance. However, insight into how these programs impact older adults’ physical, psychological, and social dimensions of quality of life (QoL) is currently unknown.

The objective of this study was to examine the impact community-based physical activity programs have on an older adult’s (i.e. 60 years and older) physical, psychological, and social QoL dimensions.

Community physical activity programs can help older adults maintain and build on physical therapy gains in aerobic capacity, lower limb strength and balance after discharge.

For older adults, physical therapists should view discharge not as the end of care but as a transition to sustainable community-based physical activity opportunities that help maintain gains, reduce fall risk, promote independence, and support healthy aging.

METHODS

Design: Systematic review

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