Evidence-Based Outcomes of Exercise in Older Adults (SIP 13)

This project systematically evaluates existing evidence-based data on the benefits of exercise in older adults in order to determine the type, frequency, and intensity of physical activity that is required to maintain or improve function, physiological indicators, strength, and stability among different subgroups of older Americans. The evidence will be ranked as to its internal and external validity and developed into clinical guidelines for physical activity with older populations. Findings produced between 1980 and 2000 will be examined for demonstration of the benefits of exercise on functional status, physiological indicators, strength, stability, and psychological well-being. A systematic review of studies conducted between 1980 and 2000 will be conducted using MEDLINE and OCLC, as well as peer reviewed journals in gerontology, and published bibliographies. Draft guidelines for research questions, an evidence model, study identification/search criteria, study inclusion and data abstraction criteria, and evidence ranking strategies will be reviewed and approved by a panel of experts in the field of exercise/physical fitness and gerontological health. This Expert Panel will convene twice. At its first meeting in Year 1, the Expert Panel will review and approve the research questions, the evidence model, criteria for article selection, items to be included on pre-formatted literature abstract forms, the development of individual evidence tables for each outcome of interest, and the outline for the Evidence Report. Upon completion of data abstraction and the production of Draft 1 of the Evidence Report, the Panel will reconvene in Year 2 to review and classify any reports that were previously deemed unclassified and to approve the level of evidence for each evidence statement and its recommendation. The Evidence Report will be revised in keeping with the Expert Panel's recommendations and Draft 2 will be circulated to a practitioner panel which will critique its organization, readability, and user friendliness. Both panels will provide recommendations for the dissemination of the Evidence Report to multiple audiences including managed care settings, the National Institute on Aging, the Arthritis and Diabetes Foundations, the American College of Sports Medicine, and physicians, health professionals and health care policy makers in geriatric health.