Characteristics of Physical Exercise Programs for Older Adults in Latin America: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Eduardo Vásquez-Araneda, Rodrigo Ignacio Solís-Vivanco, Sandra Mahecha-Matsudo, Rafael Zapata-Lamana and Igor Cigarroa
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Eduardo Vásquez-Araneda: Programa de Magister en Fisiología Clínica del Ejercicio, Universidad Mayor, Santiago 8580000, Chile
Rodrigo Ignacio Solís-Vivanco: Programa de Magister en Fisiología Clínica del Ejercicio, Universidad Mayor, Santiago 8580000, Chile
Sandra Mahecha-Matsudo: Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Mayor, Santiago 8580000, Chile
Rafael Zapata-Lamana: Escuela de Educación, Universidad de Concepción, Los Ángeles 4440000, Chile
Igor Cigarroa: Escuela de Kinesiología, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santo Tomás, Los Ángeles 4440000, Chile

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 6, 1-27

Abstract: Aim: To characterize physical exercise programs for older adults in Latin America. Methods: This review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA statement. A search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between the years 2015 and 2020 was performed in the Scopus, MedLine and SciELO databases. Results: A total of 101 RCTs were included. A large percentage of the studies had an unclear risk of bias in the items: selection, performance, detection and attribution. Furthermore, a heterogeneous level of compliance was observed in the CERT items. A total sample of 5013 older adults (79% women) was included. 97% of the studies included older adults between 60–70 years, presenting an adherence to the interventions of 86%. The studies were mainly carried out in older adults with cardiometabolic diseases. Only 44% of the studies detailed information regarding the place of intervention; of these studies, 61% developed their interventions in university facilities. The interventions were mainly based on therapeutic physical exercise (89% of the articles), with a duration of 2–6 months (95% of the articles) and a frequency of 2–3 times a week (95% of the articles) with sessions of 30–60 min (94% of the articles) led by sports science professionals (51% of the articles). The components of physical fitness that were exercised the most were muscular strength (77% of the articles) and cardiorespiratory fitness (47% of the articles). Furthermore, only 48% of the studies included a warm-up stage and 34% of the studies included a cool-down stage. Conclusions: This systematic review characterized the physical exercise programs in older adults in Latin America, as well the most frequently used outcome measures and instruments, by summarizing available evidence derived from RCTs. The results will be useful for prescribing future physical exercise programs in older adults.

Keywords: aging; physical aptitude; mental health; cognition; systematic review (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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