ABSTRACT
Chapter 1 highlighted that an improvement in life expectancy is leading to an increase in the total number of older people world-wide. This trend is expected to continue into the foreseeable future and brings challenges for society. As described in several earlier chapters, the prevalence of many diseases (e.g. heart disease, diabetes, cancer and osteoporosis) and disease risk factors (e.g. hypercholesterolaemia, hypertension and obesity) increases with age. Thus, although people are living longer, many are burdened with disease or disability in the latter stages of their lives. Moreover, lifestyle and the ability to live independently may be impaired even in individuals free from disease due to a reduction in functional capacities (e.g. strength, endurance and flexibility) which limits their ability to perform everyday tasks, such as rising from a chair, getting into and out of a bath, climbing a flight of stairs or crossing a road in the time allotted at pedestrian crossings. Aside from declines in physical fitness and mobility, ageing is also associated with a
Introduction 226 ❚
Summary 244 ❚
Study tasks 244 ❚
Further reading 245 ❚
decline in cognitive function and, in severe cases, dementia. Evidence is accumulating to suggest that physical activity may ameliorate age-related declines in cognitive function and reduce the risk of dementia. In this chapter we will examine how ageing leads to a decline in functional capacities in humans and the extent to which this can be offset by frequent exercise. We will also assess evidence that remaining active into old age reduces the risk of mental infirmity and disease. Collectively, the evidence surveyed here suggests that regular physical activity helps older adults to maintain their independence and hence a good quality of life.
