Differential exercise effects on quality of life and health-related quality of life in older adults: a randomized controlled trial

Quality of Life Research volume 24, pages455–462(2015)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

Maintaining quality of life (QOL) and physical and mental health status are important outcomes throughout the aging process. Although cross-sectional studies suggest a relationship between global QOL and physical activity, it is unclear whether such a relationship exists as a function of exercise training.

Methods

We examined the effects of two exercise intervention arms on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and global QOL. Low-active, older adults (n = 179) were randomly assigned to either a 12-month aerobic walking group or a strengthening and flexibility group. HRQOL and QOL were measured at baseline, 6, and 12 months.

Results

There was a significant group by time effect on QOL [F(2,176) = 3.11, p = 0.047, η 2 = 0.03]. There was also a significant overall group by time effect for HRQOL [F(4,174) = 2.46, p = 0.047, η 2 = 0.05], which was explained by the significant group by time interaction for mental health status (p = 0.041, η 2 = 0.02) favoring the walking condition. Further analyses using latent class analysis revealed three classes of individuals with differential patterns of change in QOL and HRQOL across time. These classes reflected no change, declines, and improvements in these constructs across time.

Conclusions

Walking appears to enhance the mental aspect of HRQOL and global QOL when compared to a non-aerobic intervention. Additionally, the patterns of change in QOL and HRQOL were not linear over time. Our findings are in contrast to previous reports that these outcomes change a little or not at all in randomized trials.

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Acknowledgments

This manuscript was supported with Grant #AG025667 from the National Institute on Aging.

Ethical Standards

All participants provided their informed consent before participation in the study, and a university Institutional Review Board approved all study procedures.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 906 S. Goodwin Ave, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA

    Elizabeth A. Awick, Thomas R. Wójcicki, Erin A. Olson, Jason Fanning, Hyondo D. Chung, Krystle Zuniga, Michael Mackenzie, Arthur F. Kramer & Edward McAuley

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  1. Elizabeth A. Awick
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  2. Thomas R. Wójcicki
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  3. Erin A. Olson
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  4. Jason Fanning
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  5. Hyondo D. Chung
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  6. Krystle Zuniga
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  7. Michael Mackenzie
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  8. Arthur F. Kramer
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  9. Edward McAuley
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Elizabeth A. Awick.

Additional information

Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00438347.

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Awick, E.A., Wójcicki, T.R., Olson, E.A. et al. Differential exercise effects on quality of life and health-related quality of life in older adults: a randomized controlled trial. Qual Life Res 24, 455–462 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-014-0762-0

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Keywords

  • Older adults
  • Physical activity
  • Aging
  • Quality of life
  • Randomized controlled trial