ABSTRACT
Individuals over the age of 65 comprise approximately 13% of the adult population in the United States and are expected to grow to 19% of the total population by 2030. This chapter provides a summary of recent scientific information related to the role of physical activity in the elderly population. Physical function in older adults is extremely important from a public health standpoint given rapidly increasing number of people over the age of 65. Physical activity has been repeatedly demonstrated to improve cognitive function in individuals over the age of 65. Increased physical activity can play a significant role in many of the chronic conditions which frequently occur in the elderly population. One of the most prominent models of successful aging was developed by J. Rowe and R. Khan. The framework of successful aging defined by these investigators included a low risk of disease and disease related disability, high mental and physical function, and active engagement with life.
