This focused review highlights the benefits of exercise and physical activity for community-dwelling older adults. It is part of the study guide on geriatric rehabilitation in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. This article specifically focuses on the benefits of physical activity and exercise for older adults with regard to morbidity, mortality, and disability. It discusses the appropriate preexercise screening and evaluation procedures for older adults contemplating exercise. Last, it reviews the current literature on the benefits of varying modes of exercise to modify the most prevalent chronic medical conditions of late life, including arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, pulmonary disease, and osteoporosis.
Overall article objective: To summarize the current knowledge regarding the therapeutic benefits of exercise for community-dwelling older adults.