Article Impact Level: HIGH Data Quality: STRONG Summary of CMAJ, 197(3), E59–E67. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.231336 Dr. Jane S. Thornton et al.
Points
- With over 20% of Canada’s population projected to be 65+ by 2025, physical activity is critical for preventing chronic diseases and maintaining independence in older adults.
- The WHO recommends 150-300 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity weekly, which reduces all-cause mortality by 31% and benefits over 30 chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and mental health disorders.
- Physical activity enhances cognitive function, mood, bone and joint health, and quality of life while reducing falls and improving functional independence.
- Clinicians are advised to prescribe tailored exercise regimens for older adults, emphasizing resistance and aerobic training, even for those with chronic conditions or mobility limitations.
- The review highlights the need for physical activity to be widely prescribed as a health intervention, using frameworks like WHO’s “5As” to promote gradual increases in activity and improve life expectancy and quality of life.
Summary
A recent review published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal highlights the significant health benefits of physical activity for older adults, particularly in preventing or mitigating chronic diseases and improving functional independence. As Canada approaches a “super-aged” society, with more than 20% of the population aged 65 and older by 2025, physical activity becomes even more critical. Despite the growing evidence supporting its benefits, over 80% of adults fail to meet the recommended physical activity guidelines, underscoring a significant public health gap.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends 150-300 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week for older adults, alongside strength and balance exercises. A 2023 meta-analysis revealed that 150 minutes of weekly moderate physical activity reduced all-cause mortality by 31%. Physical activity is beneficial for more than 30 chronic conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and mental health disorders such as depression and dementia. The benefits include enhanced cognitive function, improved mood, a higher quality of life, reductions in falls, and improved bone and joint health.
Clinicians are encouraged to tailor exercise prescriptions for older adults, especially those with chronic conditions or limited mobility. Resistance training is emphasized as a key component alongside aerobic exercises. The WHO’s “5As” framework provides a structured approach for clinicians to promote physical activity, helping patients gradually increase their activity levels. The review concludes that physical activity should be prescribed more widely as a health intervention for older adults. Age, frailty, and functional impairments are reasons to encourage, rather than contraindicate, exercise. This approach can extend life expectancy and quality of life for older adults.
Link to the article: https://www.cmaj.ca/content/197/3/E59
References Thornton, J. S., Morley, W. N., & Sinha, S. K. (2025). Move more, age well: Prescribing physical activity for older adults. CMAJ, 197(3), E59–E67. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.231336
