97-114). Physical exercise in fact leads to improvements in physical vitality and physical functioning for elderly persons (Humerickhouse, Cassety, and Davis, 1993, pp. 35-46). There is evidence also that regular physical exercise can lead to improvements in the psychological well being of elderly persons (Panush and Holtz, 1994, pp. S74-S78). A large body of research also links regular physical exercise by elderly persons with benefits associated with a variety of debilitating and chronic diseases and conditions associated with aging in human beings (Fisher, Gresham, and Pendergast, 1993, pp. 1319-1326; Dexter, 1992, pp. 36-41; Braith, Pollock, Lowenthal, Graves, and Limarcher, 1994, pp. 1124-1128; Lowenthal, Kirschner, Scarpace, Pollock, and Graves, 1994, pp. S5-S12; Graves, Pollock, and Carroll, 1994, pp. S17-S22; Barry and Eathorne, 1994, pp. 357-376). Elderly persons must be made aware of these benefits of regular physical exercise through an educational process. The desired outcome of such an educational process is a decision by the elderly persons involved to engage in a program of regular physical exercise. Through such a process, the nurse can promote health improvement among elderly patients.
The association between regular physical exercise and improved health status for persons aged 65 years old and older is reviewed in the following discussions in relation to specific health conditions that are prevalent among persons in this age group. The information provided in these discussions may be used by the nurse in community nursing educational programs for elderly persons.
Regular Physical Exercise and Physical Functioning
The loss of strength and power that frequently occurs as people age has important health implications (Young and Skelton, 1994, pp. 149-151). Young and Skelton (1994, pp. 149-151) report that very elderly people are at least as responsive as are younger adults to strength training. Both the m...