Skip to main content
PLOS ONE logoLink to PLOS ONE
. 2017 Dec 7;12(12):e0188335. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188335

Association between exercise type and quality of life in a community-dwelling older people: A cross-sectional study

Sang-Ho Oh 1, Don-Kyu Kim 1, Shi-Uk Lee 2, Se Hee Jung 2, Sang Yoon Lee 2,*
Editor: Hafiz TA Khan3
PMCID: PMC5720695  PMID: 29216283

Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the effects of three major representative exercises (resistance, flexibility, and walking) on quality of life (QoL) in a population of community-dwelling older adults.

Materials and methods

This cross-sectional study used public data from the Sixth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2014 (n = 1,586 older people). Demographic factors, three types of exercise, five EuroQoL subsets (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression), and QoL scores (EQ-VAS) were investigated. The independent associations between each exercise and the five QoL subsets were determined using odds ratios (OR) adjusted for three demographic factors (age group, sex, and area of residence), using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

The EQ-VAS scores of the exercisers was significantly higher than those of the non-exercisers for all exercise types. Subjects with problems in mobility dimension performed less exercise of all types of than those with normal mobility (resistance: OR, 0.687; flexibility: OR, 0.733, and walking: OR, 0.489). The self-care dimension was independently correlated with flexibility (OR, 0.558) and walking (OR, 0.485).

Conclusion

All types of exercisers showed higher QoL scores than non-exercisers. Among the QoL dimensions, mobility and self-care were independently associated with flexibility and walking exercise in this older people, suggesting that engaging in regular flexibility and walking exercise is important for achieving higher QoL in the older people.

Introduction

The benefits of regular exercise and physical activity in older individuals are considerable. First, it can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, ischemic stroke, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, obesity, colon cancer, breast cancer, anxiety, and depression [1]. Second, it is an effective therapy for many chronic diseases. Exercise plays a substantial therapeutic role in coronary heart disease [2], hypertension [3], osteoarthritis [4], and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [5]. Third, physical exercise has been shown to improve cognitive function [6] and even immunity [7] in the older people. Therefore, exercise should be recommended to and be the center of health care for the older people.

Several types of exercise reportedly correlate with quality of life (QoL) in the older people. Completing a stepping exercise for 8 weeks improved physical function and QoL in healthy older individuals [8]. A community-centered muscle strengthening exercise program using an elastic band significantly increased the World Health Organization QoL questionnaire scores of a rural older people [9]. Exercise can also improve QoL in older individuals with chronic diseases such as stroke [10], coronary artery disease [11], chronic heart failure [12], and Parkinson’s disease [13].

However, few studies have investigated the effects of specific exercises on QoL in the older people. Therefore, we aimed to examine the relationship between three major representative exercises (resistance, flexibility, and walking) and QoL in a community-dwelling older people. We hypothesized that one type of exercise might be more closely correlated with QoL in older people than other types of exercise.

Materials and methods

Study population

This study was based on the data obtained in the Sixth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) in 2014. The KNHANES is a nationwide cross-sectional survey that was performed to evaluate the health and nutritional status of the general population of South Korea conducted by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This survey included community-dwelling people and consisted of a health and household interview, nutrition survey, physical examinations, and laboratory data (n = 7550).

We analyzed target older subjects, defined as those aged ≥ 65 years by the World Health Organization categories [14], for whom complete data on the following variables were available: age, sex, body mass index (BMI), area of residence, and QoL questionnaire (n = 1586). To assess QoL, we used the EuroQol-5 Dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D), which was first introduced in 1990 by the EuroQol Group [15]. In the description part of the questionnaire, health-related QoL was measured in the following five dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression [16]. Each dimension is divided into three levels, ie, no problem/some or moderate problems/extreme problems. For example of the dimension ‘usual activities’, subjects were instructed to choose one of three sentences [17]: “I have no problems with performing my usual activities (e.g. work, study, housework, family or leisure activities).” or “I have some problems with performing my usual activities.” or “I am unable to perform my usual activities.” In the evaluation part of the questionnaire, participants checked their overall health status using the visual analog scale (EQ-VAS). The EQ-5D is known to have good internal consistency in several studies (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.70–0.78) [1820]. The Korean version of the scale also has proven high validity and reliability for patients with cancer [21, 22] or rheumatic disease [23]. Therefore, the EQ-5D has been widely used to evaluate QoL in many studies with good sensitivity [24, 25].

Definitions for each variable

Subjects who performed resistance exercise were defined as those who performed exercises such as push-ups, crunches, or chin-ups for 1 day or more in the past week [26]. Subjects who performed flexibility exercise were defined as those who performed exercises (≥1 day/week) such as stretches or free gymnastics focused on flexibility [27]. Walkers were defined as persons who walked ≥1 day (at least 10 min at a time) in the past week [28]. With respect to the residential area, subjects dwelling in a “dong” (city or downtown) were defined as urban dwellers, while subjects dwelling in a “eup” or “myeon” (uptown or village) were defined as rural dwellers. BMI was calculated as the individual’s body mass divided by the square of one’s height (kg/m2). In each EQ-5D dimension, “no problem” was considered normal, whereas “some problems” or “severe problems” were considered problematic. This study analyzed public data from the KNHANES; therefore, ethical approval was not required.

Statistical analysis

Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the distribution of age, age group, sex, area of residence, and EQ-5D scores. Independent t-tests were used for mean comparisons of age, BMI, and EQ-VAS between exercisers and non-exercisers in each activity group. Comparisons of age group, sex, area of residence, and EuroQoL scores were conducted using the chi-squared test. Independent associations between each exercise and the five QoL subsets were determined using odds ratios (OR) adjusted for three demographic factors (age group, sex, and area of residence) on multivariate logistic regression analysis. The adjusted model was developed through backward elimination with a significance level of 0.2 to enter and 0.05 to stay. We also evaluated possible multiple collinearities between the covariates using correlation analysis and collinearity statistical tests (tolerance and variance inflation factor tests) during regression analysis. SPSS Statistics software version 21.0 (IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA) was used for all of the analyses. Values of P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

Subjects’ characteristics

Subjects with missing data regarding activities (n = 281 for resistance, n = 280 for flexibility, and n = 291 for walking) were excluded from the final statistical analyses (Fig 1). The proportion of older individuals in this population was 21.0% (1,586/7,550). The basic characteristics of the target subjects are summarized in Table 1. The mean subject age was 73.3 ± 6.1 years, and 56.6% of them were women. The mean BMI was 23.8 ± 3.1 kg/m2. The proportions of older subjects who performed resistance, flexibility, or walking exercises were 15.1%, 36.7%, or 60.8%, respectively. Exercisers were younger than non-exercisers in resistance (71.4 ± 5.1 vs. 72.9 ± 5.6 years, P < 0.001), flexibility (71.7 ± 5.2 vs. 73.4 ± 5.7 years, P < 0.001), and walking (72.2 ± 5.4 vs. 73.8 ± 5.8 years, P < 0.001). They are more likely to dwell in urban areas (resistance: 20.6% vs. 12.9%, P = 0.001; flexibility: 49.6% vs. 32.6%, P < 0.001; and walking: 79.8% vs. 61.7%, P < 0.001) than non-exercisers. Men were more likely to perform two types of exercise than women (resistance: 29.6% vs. 9.5%, P < 0.001 and walking: 78.9% vs. 70.9%, P = 0.010). Each EuroQoL subset showed significant correlations with the three exercise types. The mean EQ-VAS of the exercisers was significantly higher than that of the non-exercisers in resistance (0.92 ± 0.13 vs. 0.86 ± 0.19, P < 0.001), flexibility (0.90 ± 0.13 vs. 0.84 ± 0.21, P < 0.001), and walking (0.90 ± 0.15 vs. 0.78 ± 0.24, P < 0.001) (Table 2).

Fig 1. Flow diagram of this study.

Fig 1

Table 1. General characteristics of the older people.

Variables N (%) or mean ± SD
Age 73.31±6.07
Age group
 Young-old (65–74) 965 (60.8)
 Middle-old (75–84) 544 (34.3)
 Oldest-old (85-) 77 (4.9)
Sex (men: women) 688:898
Body mass index (kg/m2) 23.80±3.11
Area of residence, n (%)
 Urban 1097 (69.2)
 Rural 489 (30.8)
EQ-5D
 Mobility, n (%)
  Normal 816 (61.9)
  Problems 502 (38.1)
 Self-care, n (%)
  Normal 1179 (89.3)
  Problems 142 (10.7)
 Usual activities, n (%)
  Normal 1017 (77.0)
  Problems 303 (22.9)
 Pain/discomfort, n (%)
  Normal 831 (63.0)
  Problems 489 (37.0)
 Anxiety/depression, n (%)
  Normal 1074 (81.4)
  Problems 245 (18.6)
EQ-VAS 0.87±0.18

Table 2. Subject characteristics by exercise type.

Resistance (n = 1305) Flexibility (n = 1306) Walking (n = 1295)
Exerciser (n = 239) Non-exerciser (n = 1066) P value Exerciser (n = 582) Non-exerciser (n = 724) P value Exerciser (n = 964) Non-exerciser (n = 331) P value
Age 71.4 ± 5.1 72.9 ± 5.6 < 0.001 71.7 ± 5.2 73.4 ± 5.7 < 0.001 72.2 ± 5.4 73.8 ± 5.8 < 0.001
Age group (years) Young-old (n (%)) 176 (20.9) 668 (79.1) 0.006 413 (48.9) 431 (51.1) < 0.001 656 (78.2) 183 (21.8) < 0.001
Middle-old (n (%)) 59 (13.8) 369 (86.2) 159 (37.1) 270 (62.9) 287 (67.7) 137 (32.3)
Oldest-old (n (%)) 4 (12.1) 29 (87.9) 10 (30.3) 23 (69.7) 21 (65.6) 11 (34.4)
Sex Men (n (%)) 169 (29.6) 402 (70.4) < 0.001 265 (46.4) 306 (53.6) 0.237 449 (78.9) 120 (21.1) 0.001
Women (n (%)) 70 (9.5) 664 (90.5) 317 (43.1) 418 (56.9) 515 (70.9) 211 (29.1)
Body mass index (kg/m2) 24.0 ± 3.0 23.8 ± 3.1 0.329 23.9 ± 2.8 23.8 ± 3.3 0.535 23.8 ± 3.0 24.0 ± 3.3 0.524
Area of residence Urban (n (%)) 189 (20.6) 729 (79.4) 0.001 456 (49.6) 463 (50.4) < 0.001 729 (79.8) 185 (20.2) < 0.001
Rural (n (%)) 50 (12.9) 337 (87.1) 126 (32.6) 261 (67.4) 235 (61.7) 146 (38.3)
EQ-5D Mobility Normal (n (%)) 179 (22.2) 629 (77.8) < 0.001 401 (49.6) 408 (50.4) < 0.001 657 (81.8) 146 (18.2) < 0.001
Problems (n (%)) 60 (12.2) 433 (87.8) 181 (36.7) 312 (63.3) 306 (62.7) 182 (37.3)
Self-care Normal (n (%)) 222 (19.1) 942 (80.9) 0.045 545 (46.8) 620 (53.2) < 0.001 894 (77.4) 261 (22.6) < 0.001
Problems (n (%)) 17 (12.1) 123 (87.9) 37 (26.4) 103 (73.6) 70 (50.4) 69 (49.6)
Usual activities Normal (n (%)) 203 (20.1) 806 (79.9) 0.002 482 (47.7) 528 (52.3) <0.001 789 (78.6) 215 (21.4) < 0.001
Problems (n (%)) 36 (12.2) 260 (87.8) 100 (33.8) 196 (66.2) 175 (60.1) 116 (39.9)
Pain/Discomfort Normal (n (%)) 174 (21.2) 648 (78.8) 0.001 387 (47.0) 436 (53.0) 0.020 649 (79.6) 166 (20.4) < 0.001
Problems (n (%)) 65 (13.5) 418 (86.5) 195 (40.4) 288 (59.6) 315 (65.6) 165 (34.4)
Anxiety/Depression Normal (n (%)) 210 (19.7) 854 (80.3) 0.006 493 (46.3) 572 (53.7) 0.010 807 (76.3) 250 (23.7) 0.001
Problems (n (%)) 29 (12.1) 211 (87.9) 89 (37.1) 151 (62.9) 157 (66.2) 80 (33.8)
EQ-VAS 0.92± 0.13 0.86 ± 0.19 < 0.001 0.90 ± 0.13 0.84 ± 0.21 < 0.001 0.90 ± 0.15 0.78 ± 0.24 < 0.001

Independent T-tests were used for mean comparisons of age, body mass index, and EQ-5D between exercisers and non-exercisers for each type of exerciser. Comparisons of age groups, sex, weight change, area of residence, and EuroQoL were conducted using the Chi-square test.

Independent effects of each variable on exercise

On multivariate logistic regression, no significant collinearity was identified for any of the covariates in the statistical tests of collinearity. Adjusted regression analyses showed that young-old (65–74 years old) subjects performed resistance and flexibility exercises more frequently than middle-old (75–84 years old) subjects (P = 0.023 and P = 0.017, respectively). Women were less frequent exercisers than men only in resistance exercise (OR, 0.262, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.192–0.358), and there were no significant sex-based differences in the flexibility or walking exercises. Urban dwelling was an independent variable of all exercise types. According to the EQ-5D, subjects with problems in the mobility dimension performed less of all exercise types than those with normal mobility (resistance: OR, 0.687; 95% CI, 0.491–0.960; flexibility: OR, 0.733; 95% CI, 0.571–0.941; and walking: OR, 0.489; 95% CI, 0.367–0.651). The self-care dimension was independently correlated with flexibility (OR, 0.558; 95% CI, 0.365–0.852) and walking (OR, 0.485; 95% CI, 0.326–0.722). The usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression dimensions in the EQ-5D showed no significant correlation with any type of exercise (Table 3).

Table 3. Adjusted odds ratios for the three exercise types.

Resistance Flexibility Walking
Adjusted OR
(95% CI)
P value Adjusted OR
(95% CI)
P value Adjusted OR
(95% CI)
P value
Age group (years)
 Young-old (n = 965) 1.000 1.000 1.000
 Middle-old (n = 544) 0.677 (0.483–0.948) 0.023 0.739 (0.577–0.946) 0.017 0.784 (0.592–1.039) 0.090
 Oldest-old (n = 77) 0.733 (0.243–2.209) 0.581 0.552 (0.255–1.197) 0.133 0.783 (0.353–1.740) 0.549
Sex
 Men (n = 688) 1.000 1.000 1.000
 Women (n = 898) 0.262 (0.192–0.358) <0.001 0.966 (0.765–1.219) 0.771 0.792 (0.600–1.045) 0.099
Area of residence
 Urban (n = 1097) 1.000 1.000 1.000
 Rural (n = 489) 0.577 (0.406–0.820) 0.002 0.530 (0.411–0.683) < 0.001 0.434 (0.330–0.570) < 0.001
EQ-5D
 Mobility
  Normal (n = 816) 1.000 1.000 1.000
  Problems (n = 502) 0.687 (0.491–0.960) 0.028 0.733 (0.571–0.941) 0.017 0.489 (0.367–0.651) < 0.001
 Self-care
  Normal (n = 1179) 1.000 1.000 1.000
  Problems (n = 142) 1.203 (0.664–2.179) 0.543 0.558 (0.365–0.852) 0.007 0.485 (0.326–0.722) < 0.001
 Usual activities
  Normal (n = 1017) 1.000 1.000 1.000
  Problems (n = 303) 0.974 (0.565–1.680) 0.926 0.890 (0.613–1.292) 0.539 0.952 (0.638–1.420) 0.809
 Pain/Discomfort
  Normal (n = 831) 1.000 1.000 1.000
  Problems (n = 489) 0.973 (0.653–1.450) 0.893 1.143 (0.857–1.523) 0.363 0.845 (0.614–1.164) 0.302
 Anxiety/Depression
  Normal (n = 1074) 1.000 1.000 1.000
  Problems (n = 245) 0.756 (0.482–1.186) 0.223 0.839 (0.614–1.145) 0.268 0.935 (0.661–1.324) 0.707

Adjusted OR by multivariate logistic regression analysis (adjusted for three demographic factors: age group, sex, and area of residence). Values with P < 0.05 are in bold. OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval.

Discussion

The most important findings of this study were that all exercisers showed higher QoL scores than non-exercisers in community-dwelling older people and young-old age, male sex, and urban dwelling were independent variables of resistance activity. Among the QoL subsets, the mobility dimension was significantly associated with all types of exercises, while the self-care dimension was correlated with flexibility and walking exercises. Older people were more likely to perform walking exercise, followed by flexibility and resistance exercises.

Several types of exercise have been shown to enhance QoL in older people. Dechamps et al. reported that the total Neuropsychiatric Inventory score worsened significantly in the control group but was unchanged or improved in the intervention group treated with an adapted tai chi program (four times a week for 30 min each) in institutionalized older people [29]. Besides, water exercise [30], stepping exercise [8], and Nordic walking [31] have been shown to improve both physical performance and QoL in older people. However, few studies have compared the different effects of different exercises on QoL. Only one randomized controlled trial compared the long-term efficacy of two different exercises (an intensive fitness program vs. a lighter program) on the QoL of older people [32]. The authors suggested that a vigorous physical activity program might be associated with better maintenance of QoL over compared to a postural gymnastic program. However, these two exercise programs did not represent the exercise types and the number of participants was too small (n = 42). In our study, flexibility and walking exercises were independently associated with two QoL dimensions (mobility and self-care), while resistance exercise was correlated with only the QoL dimension of mobility. Because the QoL dimension of self-care does not require much muscle strength, flexibility and walking exercises alone might have had sufficient effects on the QoL dimension.

Yoga is one of the most used flexibility exercise and includes a low-impact and low- to moderate-intensity range of motion incorporating elements of muscle strength and balance [33]. Besides, the practice of yoga may be accessible to older sedentary people. One randomized controlled trial showed that 12-week low-intensity exercise yoga exercise improved physical function and well-being (vitality and enjoyment) in older sedentary women [34]. Walking is one of the most recommended and preferred exercise, being easily incorporated into everyday life and sustained into old age [35]. A cross-sectional population-based study (n = 698 of 75-year-olds) reported that 60% of subjects attained the recommended levels of walking (≥ 150 min/week) and they achieved higher scores of most subscales in the Short Form-36 [36]. Therefore, these two types of exercise should be actively recommended for improving the QoL and physical function of the elderly.

A few studies have also reported different effects of exercise type on specific QoL dimensions. Similar to our study, the Catalan Health Survey 2006 of physically active older people (n = 2,185) reported that older people who engage in regular physical activity show better health-related QoL than sedentary subjects after adjusting for age and sex [37]. The authors also suggested that the dimensions of mobility, usual activities, and self-care showed an important evolution in the number of problems experienced in patients ≥ 75 years of age and that the dimensions of pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression showed a higher percentage of problems for physically active older people in the younger age groups. However, they did not analyze the associations between specific exercise type and QoL; rather, they combined all activities to one “physically active” status. Neto et al. compared the perceived QoL levels among sedentary, swimming, and strength training groups in older people [38]. The physical domain of QoL was higher in the strength training group, while the psychological and social domains of QoL were higher in the swimming group. However, strength training and swimming cannot be considered representative of all activity types. Furthermore, the authors did not analyze the reason why each exercise group showed the specific domains of QoL.

Exercise has also been reported to have positive effects on QoL of older people with a specific disease. A 12-week exercise training regime including moderate-intensity cardiopulmonary exercise training, strengthening exercise, and balance training was beneficial to older patients with coronary artery disease, and subsequent cardiopulmonary exercise testing parameters correlated well with QoL [11]. Endurance exercise and resistance training conducted in older patients with chronic heart failure showed positive effects on health-related QoL measured by the EQ-5D as well as physical capacity [12]. Park et al. also reported that a 12-week combined exercise intervention (resistance, flexibility, and Kegel exercises) after radical prostatectomy resulted in improvements of physical function, continence rate, and health-related QoL [39]. Because we did not classify subjects by specific disease in our study, further investigations should investigate whether chronic disease or malignancy could affect QoL influenced by various types of exercises.

Our study has several limitations. First, exercise frequency was not quantified in this study. Because exercise was defined as whether one performed exercises ≥ 1 day per week (for at least 10 minutes each time) in the most recent week, this might be the minimum of the standard for “performing exercise” and the dose-response relationships between exercise and QoL cannot be revealed. A few studies have examined the effect of exercise frequency in older people. One prospective longitudinal study of 22 community-dwelling frail older people reported that twice-weekly water exercise controlled the deterioration of health-related QoL and activities of daily living with aging better than once-weekly exercise [40]. However, Rugbeer et al. suggested that exercise frequency (two vs. three times a week) did not affect mental health and social health benefits [41]. Although our study did not quantify the frequency and amount of exercise, it would be meaningful to identify a significant QoL difference if a specific exercise was performed at least in time. Of course, further studies on the dose-response relationship to exercise and QoL should be conducted. Second, how representative the three types of exercise are remains debatable. The effects of aerobic exercises such as bicycling, running, or ball games could not be investigated in the current study because we used open-access big data from a government database. However, these three exercises we have chosen are the most commonly prescribed type of exercise and have been used as a basic element in other studies to see the effects of exercise [42]. Finally, it is impossible to establish a causal relationship between QoL and exercise because of the genuine limitations of cross-sectional studies. Thus, we cannot discriminate whether subjects with a high QoL perform more exercise or if subjects who perform more exercise achieve a high QoL.

Conclusions

All types of exercisers showed higher QoL scores than non-exercisers. Among the QoL dimensions, mobility and self-care were independently associated with flexibility and walking exercise in older people. Resistance exercise was correlated with the mobility dimension only. Regular flexibility and walking exercise was important to higher QoL. Despite its cross-sectional design, this is the first clinical study to indicate that specific types of exercise could be independently associated with specific QoL dimensions in older people. Further longitudinal or controlled trials are needed to reveal the causal relationship of this phenomenon.

Acknowledgments

The authors received no specific funding for this work.

Data Availability

All relevant data are within the paper.

Funding Statement

The authors received no specific funding for this work.

References

  • 1.Haskell WL, Lee IM, Pate RR, Powell KE, Blair SN, Franklin BA, et al. Physical activity and public health: updated recommendation for adults from the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2007;39:1423–34. doi: 10.1249/mss.0b013e3180616b27 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 2.Thompson PD, Buchner D, Pina IL, Balady GJ, Williams MA, Marcus BH, et al. Exercise and physical activity in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: a statement from the Council on Clinical Cardiology (Subcommittee on Exercise, Rehabilitation, and Prevention) and the Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism (Subcommittee on Physical Activity). Circulation. 2003;107:3109–16. doi: 10.1161/01.CIR.0000075572.40158.77 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 3.Pescatello LS, Franklin BA, Fagard R, Farquhar WB, Kelley GA, Ray CA, et al. American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Exercise and hypertension. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2004;36:533–53. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 4.American Geriatrics Society Panel on E, Osteoarthritis. Exercise prescription for older adults with osteoarthritis pain: consensus practice recommendations. A supplement to the AGS Clinical Practice Guidelines on the management of chronic pain in older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc.2001;49:808–23. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 5.Pauwels RA, Buist AS, Calverley PM, Jenkins CR, Hurd SS, Committee GS. Global strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. NHLBI/WHO Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) Workshop summary. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2001;163:1256–76. doi: 10.1164/ajrccm.163.5.2101039 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 6.Franco-Martin M, Parra-Vidales E, Gonzalez-Palau F, Bernate-Navarro M, Solis A. The influence of physical exercise in the prevention of cognitive deterioration in the elderly: a systematic review. Revista de neurologia. 2013;56:545–54. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 7.Bigley AB, Spielmann G, LaVoy EC, Simpson RJ. Can exercise-related improvements in immunity influence cancer prevention and prognosis in the elderly? Maturitas. 2013;76:51–6. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2013.06.010 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 8.Janyacharoen T, Sirijariyawat K, Nithiatthawanon T, Pamorn P, Sawanyawisuth K. Modified stepping exercise improves physical performances and quality of life in healthy elderly subjects. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2017;57:1344–1348. doi: 10.23736/S0022-4707.16.06439-2 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 9.Park SY, Kim JK, Lee SA. The effects of a community-centered muscle strengthening exercise program using an elastic band on the physical abilities and quality of life of the rural elderly. J Phys Ther Sci. 2015;27:2061–3. doi: 10.1589/jpts.27.2061 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 10.Park Y, Chang M. Effects of the Otago exercise program on fall efficacy, activities of daily living and quality of life in elderly stroke patients. J Phys Ther Sci. 2016;28:190–3. doi: 10.1589/jpts.28.190 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 11.Chen CH, Chen YJ, Tu HP, Huang MH, Jhong JH, Lin KL. Benefits of exercise training and the correlation between aerobic capacity and functional outcomes and quality of life in elderly patients with coronary artery disease. Kaohsiung J Med Sci. 2014;30:521–30. doi: 10.1016/j.kjms.2014.08.004 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 12.Pihl E, Cider A, Stromberg A, Fridlund B, Martensson J. Exercise in elderly patients with chronic heart failure in primary care: effects on physical capacity and health-related quality of life. Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2011;10:150–8 doi: 10.1016/j.ejcnurse.2011.03.002 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 13.Lattari E, Pereira-Junior PP, Neto GA, Lamego MK, Moura AM, de Sa AS, et al. Effects of chronic exercise on severity, quality of life and functionality in an elderly Parkinson’s disease patient: case report. Clin Practice Epidemiol Ment Health. 2014;10:126–8. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 14.WHO. Men, Ageing and Health. 2001.
  • 15.EuroQol G. EuroQol—a new facility for the measurement of health-related quality of life. Health Policy. 1990;16:199–208. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 16.Hatswell AJ, Vegter S. Measuring quality of life in opioid-induced constipation: mapping EQ-5D-3 L and PAC-QOL. Health Econ Rev. 2016;6:14 doi: 10.1186/s13561-016-0091-9 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 17.Rabin R, de Charro F. EQ-5D: a measure of health status from the EuroQol Group. Ann Med. 2001;33:337–43. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 18.Savoia E, Fantini MP, Pandolfi PP, Dallolio L, Collina N. Assessing the construct validity of the Italian version of the EQ-5D: preliminary results from a cross-sectional study in North Italy. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2006;4:47 doi: 10.1186/1477-7525-4-47 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 19.King JT Jr., Tsevat J, Roberts MS. Measuring preference-based quality of life using the EuroQol EQ-5D in patients with cerebral aneurysms. Neurosurgery. 2009;65:565–72. doi: 10.1227/01.NEU.0000350980.01519.D8 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 20.Cheung PW, Wong CK, Samartzis D, Luk KD, Lam CL, Cheung KM, et al. Psychometric validation of the EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L) in Chinese patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Scoliosis Spinal Disord. 2016;11:19 doi: 10.1186/s13013-016-0083-x [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 21.Kim SH, Hwang JS, Kim TW, Hong YS, Jo MW. Validity and reliability of the EQ-5D for cancer patients in Korea. Support Care Cancer. 2012;20:3155–60. doi: 10.1007/s00520-012-1457-0 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 22.Kim SH, Jo MW, Lee JW, Lee HJ, Kim JK. Validity and reliability of EQ-5D-3L for breast cancer patients in Korea. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2015;13:203 doi: 10.1186/s12955-015-0399-x [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 23.Kim MH, Cho YS, Uhm WS, Kim S, Bae SC. Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Korean version of the EQ-5D in patients with rheumatic diseases. Qual Life Res. 2005;14:1401–6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 24.Eaglehouse YL, Schafer GL, Arena VC, Kramer MK, Miller RG, Kriska AM. Impact of a community-based lifestyle intervention program on health-related quality of life. Qual Life Res. 2016;25:1903–12. doi: 10.1007/s11136-016-1240-7 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 25.Huppertz-Hauss G, Aas E, Lie Hoivik M, Langholz E, Odes S, Smastuen M, et al. Comparison of the Multiattribute Utility Instruments EQ-5D and SF-6D in a Europe-Wide Population-Based Cohort of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease 10 Years after Diagnosis. Gastroenterol Res Pract. 2016;2016:5023973 doi: 10.1155/2016/5023973 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 26.Schoenfeld BJ, Ogborn D, Krieger JW. Effects of Resistance Training Frequency on Measures of Muscle Hypertrophy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports Med. 2016;46:1689–97. doi: 10.1007/s40279-016-0543-8 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 27.Oh SH, Son SH, Kang SH, Kim DK, Seo KM, Lee SY. Relationship Between Types of Exercise and Quality of Life in a Korean Metabolic Syndrome Population: A Cross-Sectional Study. Metab Syndr Relat Disord. 2017;15:199–205. doi: 10.1089/met.2016.0151 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 28.Heesch KC, van Gellecum YR, Burton NW, van Uffelen JG, Brown WJ. Physical activity and quality of life in older women with a history of depressive symptoms. Prev Med. 2016;91:299–305. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2016.09.012 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 29.Dechamps A, Diolez P, Thiaudiere E, Tulon A, Onifade C, Vuong T, et al. Effects of exercise programs to prevent decline in health-related quality of life in highly deconditioned institutionalized elderly persons: a randomized controlled trial. Arch Intern Med. 2010;170:162–9. doi: 10.1001/archinternmed.2009.489 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 30.Sato D, Kaneda K, Wakabayashi H, Nomura T. The water exercise improves health-related quality of life of frail elderly people at day service facility. Qual Life Res. 2007;16:1577–85. doi: 10.1007/s11136-007-9269-2 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 31.Bullo V, Gobbo S, Vendramin B, Duregon F, Cugusi L, Di Blasio A, et al. Nordic Walking can be incorporated in the exercise prescription to increase aerobic capacity, strength and quality of life for elderly: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Rejuvenation research. 2017. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 32.Mura G, Sancassiani F, Migliaccio GM, Collu G, Carta MG. The association between different kinds of exercise and quality of life in the long term. Results of a randomized controlled trial on the elderly. Clin Practice Epidemiol Ment Health. 2014;10:36–41. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 33.Hagins M, Moore W, Rundle A. Does practicing hatha yoga satisfy recommendations for intensity of physical activity which improves and maintains health and cardiovascular fitness? BMC Complement Altern Med. 2007;7:40 doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-7-40 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 34.Noradechanunt C, Worsley A, Groeller H. Thai Yoga improves physical function and well-being in older adults: A randomised controlled trial. J Sci Med Sport. 2017;20:494–501. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2016.10.007 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 35.Morris JN, Hardman AE. Walking to health. Sports Med. 1997;23:306–32. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 36.Horder H, Skoog I, Frandin K. Health-related quality of life in relation to walking habits and fitness: a population-based study of 75-year-olds. Qual Life Res. 2013;22:1213–23. doi: 10.1007/s11136-012-0267-7 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 37.Fortuno-Godes J, Guerra-Balic M, Cabedo-Sanroma J. Health-related quality of life measures for physically active elderly in community exercise programs in catalonia: comparative analysis with sedentary people. Curr Gerontol Geriatr Res. 2013;2013:168482 doi: 10.1155/2013/168482 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 38.Neto GA, Pereira-Junior PP, Mura G, Carta MG, Machado S. Effects of Different Types of Physical Exercise on the Perceived Quality of Life in Active Elderly. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. 2015;14:1152–6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 39.Park SW, Kim TN, Nam JK, Ha HK, Shin DG, Lee W, et al. Recovery of overall exercise ability, quality of life, and continence after 12-week combined exercise intervention in elderly patients who underwent radical prostatectomy: a randomized controlled study. Urology. 2012;80:299–305. doi: 10.1016/j.urology.2011.12.060 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 40.Sato D, Kaneda K, Wakabayashi H, Nomura T. Comparison two-year effects of once-weekly and twice-weekly water exercise on health-related quality of life of community-dwelling frail elderly people at a day-service facility. Disabil Rehabil. 2009;31:84–93. doi: 10.1080/09638280701817552 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 41.Rugbeer N, Ramklass S, McKune A, van Heerden J. The effect of group exercise frequency on health related quality of life in institutionalized elderly. Pan Afr Med J. 2017;26:35 doi: 10.11604/pamj.2017.26.35.10518 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 42.Fielding RA, Guralnik JM, King AC, Pahor M, McDermott MM, Tudor-Locke C, et al. Dose of physical activity, physical functioning and disability risk in mobility-limited older adults: Results from the LIFE study randomized trial. PLoS One. 2017;12:e0182155 doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182155 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Associated Data

This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article.

Data Availability Statement

All relevant data are within the paper.


Articles from PLoS ONE are provided here courtesy of PLOS

RESOURCES