Critique of Exercise in Older Adults
Alyssa Felix
Brigham Young University
Critique of Exercise in Older Adults
In the article “Exercise and
Functional Disability in Older Adults”, Kenneth Mobily discusses a survey done
among elderly adult that studied the relationships between recreational and
physical activity levels and functional disability level. Though the study was
flawed, it showed that there was a relationship between higher levels of
exercise and lower levels of functional disability.
Summary
This article discussed how increased
exercise can have a good effect on the level of functional disability of an older
adult. Exercise, especially in older adults, is important for combating disease
and maintaining health, but also it also helps to lengthen lifespan and
increase quality of life. The author specifically wants to understand how
exercise can increase quality of life in regards to functional ability (Mobily,
2013). A functional disability was defined as the ability or inability to do
normal, everyday tasks that are essential to living independently (Mobily,
2013).
To gather the data for this study, a
telephone survey was done that included 1,103 adults that were 60 or older
(Mobily, 2013). They were asked about their exercise levels and their ability
to perform everyday tasks. After the data was gathered, statistical analysis
was done. Exercise levels served as the independent variable while functional
ability was the dependent variable. Mobily found that there was a positive
relationship between exercise level and functional ability (Mobily, 2013). However,
this relationship was not in the dose-dependent or linear manner that he
expected. He realized though, that this result may be because the population
was far healthier than he previously realized (Mobily, 2013).
Strengths
This study was one of the first
studies to actually look at the relationship between functional disabilities
and exercise levels. Mobily was very thorough in his research in backing up his
hypotheses and was very detailed in discussing his processes and results. He
based the levels of exercise used in the survey off of the Center for Disease
Control’s recommended levels of exercise so that his results were standardized.
Weaknesses
However, the method of gather data used in this
article was very flawed. The survey was only given to a predominantly white
population, about 90% (Mobily, 2013). This exclusion of minority groups would
have skewed the data. By including more cultural groups in the study, it would
be less biased. The article also made no mention of the geographic area that
this study or the gender make-up of the population surveyed. More diverse
studies on this topic should be done to get a better idea of the entire
population’s exercise and functional disability levels. Also, different forms
of studies and experiments should be done. With the type of study done in this
article it is impossible to tell if the functional disability was decreased
because of the exercise or if a higher functional ability meant the subject was
able to exercise more.
Application
This survey showed that there was a
relationship between functional ability and recreational and physical activity
levels. The concept aligns with previous literature, research, and findings
that discusses how exercise and other physical activity is good for your body
in many ways. While further research is needed in this area, the information
can be useful to Recreational Therapists. By encouraging, more physical
activity in clients, a change in overall health can occur, including decreases
in functional disabilities.
Reaction
I chose this article mainly because
I had using articles that discussed recreation in youth settings and decided to
do something new. I also was interested in this article as I have a grandmother
with fibromyalgia who has functional disabilities. Many of the concepts
discussed in this article apply to her and her situation and could be very
beneficial to her. Even though I am not an older adult, this research is still
helpful for me personally. Understanding that recreational and physical
exercise has many health benefits and implementing them in my life will help me
be healthier as I continue in adulthood.
References
Mobily,
Kenneth B. (2013) Exercise and functional disability in older adults. Therapeutic
Recreation
Journal, 47, 47-60
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