Effects of a physical activity program on depressive symptoms and functional capacity of institutionalized Mexican older adults

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine the effects of a physical activity program on depressive symptoms and functional capacity of institutionalized older adults from Tijuana, Mexico. Methods: Fifty older adults (Mean age = 74.2 ± 6.1 yr., Min = 61, Max = 82) who recruited from a retirement home who were assigned to an experimental (EG, n = 25) and a control group (CG, n = 25). The EG performed a physical activity program consisting of chair exercises of moderate-intensity 5 days/week, 40-50 min/session, over 12- weeks. The CG performed low-intensity passive activities programmed by their retirement home personnel. Before and after the experiment, depressive symptoms and functional capacity were measured. General-linear model ANOVA were used to analyze data. Results: Following intervention, depressive symptoms were reduced in the EG compared to CG (p = 0.001, η2 = 20.3%). Reductions in depressive scores were found in men (η2 = 12.4%) and women (p = 0.024; η2 = 10.6%) in the EG compared to older adults in the CG (Men = 10.2 ± 1.3, Women = 8.5 ± 1.0). Functional capacity increased in the EG compared to CG (p ≤ 0.001, η2 = 74.4%). Gait performance increased in the CG (p ≤ 0.001, η2 = 72.3%) and decreased in the CG (p ≤ 0.001, η2 = 43.5%). Conclusion: Older adults from a retirement home in Tijuana, Mexico, reduced depressive symptoms and improved physical functioning following an intensive 12-week exercise program. Breaking sedentary-time in institutionalized older adults must be encouraged.