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. 2019 Dec 1;27(4):848-854.
doi: 10.1123/japa.2018-0317.

Mobility Improvements are Found in Older Veterans After 6-Months of Gerofit Regardless of BMI Classification

Odessa Addison  1   2 , Monica C Serra  3   4 , Leslie Katzel  1   2 , Jamie Giffuni  1 , Cathy C Lee  5   6 , Steven Castle  5   6 , Willy M Valencia  7   8 , Teresa Kopp  9 , Heather Cammarata  9 , Michelle McDonald  10 , Kris A Oursler  11 , Chani Jain  11 , Janet Prvu Bettger  12 , Megan Pearson  13 , Kenneth M Manning  13 , Orna Intrator  14   15 , Peter Veazie  14   15 , Richard Sloane  16 , Jiejin Li  14   15 , Miriam C Morey  13   16
Affiliations

Mobility Improvements are Found in Older Veterans After 6-Months of Gerofit Regardless of BMI Classification

Odessa Addison et al. J Aging Phys Act. .

Abstract

Veterans represent a unique population of older adults as they are more likely to self-report disability and be overweight or obese compared to the general population. We sought to compare changes in mobility function across the obesity spectrum in older Veterans participating in six-months of Gerofit, a clinical exercise program. 270 Veterans completed baseline, three, and six-month functional assessment and were divided post-hoc into groups: normal weight, overweight, and obese. Physical function assessment included: ten-meter walk time, six-minute walk distance, 30-second chair stands, and eight-foot up-and-go time. No significant weight x time interactions were found for any measure. However, significant (P<0.02) improvements were found for all mobility measures from baseline to three-months and maintained at six-months. Six-months of participation in Gerofit, if enacted nationwide, appears to be one way to improve mobility and function in older Veterans at high risk for disability regardless of weight status.

Keywords: Exercise; Older Adults; Overweight and Obese; Physical Function.

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