Aproximación a la prescripción de actividad física en los adultos mayores

Abstract

Currently, physical inactivity (PI) has been recognized as an important promoter of global mortality, especially due to cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of mortality worldwide. This burden tends to grow heavier as age increases. In addition, preforming physical activity (PA) tends to become complicated as age increases, due to conditions such as the generalized physiologic decline of all organ systems, the loss of muscle mass, strength and resistance, greater difficulty for balance and gait, and the possible presence of neurocognitive decline, dementia, or other mental disorders. Nevertheless, in the geriatric population, PA has been related to an improvement of general health, greater quality of life, and longer life expectancy. Thus, it is important to closely examine the potential problems related to performing PA in the elderly, as well as explore the possible strategies to solve them. Prescription of PA in this population demands contemplation of specific factors to safely obtain effective results. It has been remarked that physicians’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding prescription of PA and exercise are often deficient, with low coverage of the topic, and a tendency towards ignoring this point in the consultation. Therefore, in this review we revise the essential aspects of PA prescription in the elderly.