Comparison of two physical activity interventions on the physical fitness for informal caregivers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5055/ajrt.2008.0006Keywords:
caregivers, fitness, walking, yogaAbstract
Physical activity is known to improve components of physical fitness such as strength, flexibility, and endurance. Informal caregivers often provide intensive care to their relatives or friends, which may require a moderate level of physical fitness. However, intervention studies with caregivers have not focused on improving the fitness of caregivers. Therefore, data from two studies were compared to determine the influence of yoga and mall-walking on the physical fitness of informal caregivers. The findings indicate that yoga provided the most physical fitness benefits, while mall-walking provided some benefits, and that caregivers with no intervention experienced the most decrements in physical fitness over an eight-week time period.References
Biegel DE, Sales E, Schulz R: Family Caregiving in Chronic Illness. Newbury Park: Sage Publications, 1991.
Pinquart M, Sorensen S: Correlates of physical health of informal caregivers: A meta-analysis. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2007; 62(2): P126-P137.
Carlson JE, Ostir GV, Black SA, et al.: Disability in older adults. 2: Physical activity as prevention. Behav Med. Winter 1999;24(4):157-168.
Evans WJ: Exercise as the standard of care for elderly people. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2002; 57(5): M260-M261.
Rikli RE, Jones CJ: Senior Fitness Test Manual. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 2001.
Castro CM, Wilcox S, O’Sullivan P, et al.: An exercise program for women who are caring for relatives with dementia. Psychosom Med. 2002; 64(3): 458-468.
King AC, Brassington G: Enhancing physical and psychological functioning in older family caregivers: The role of regular physical activity. Ann Behav Med. Spring 1997; 19(2): 91-100.
Raub JA: Psychophysiologic effects of Hatha yoga on musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary function: A literature review. J Altern Complement Med. 2002; 8(6): 797-812.
Greendale GA, McDivit A, Carpenter A, et al.: Yoga for women with hyperkyphosis: Results of a pilot study. Am J Public Health. 2002; 92(10): 1611-1614.
Oken BS, Zajdel D, Kishiyama S, et al.: Randomized, controlled, six-month trial of yoga in healthy seniors: Effects on cognition and quality of life. Altern Ther Health Med. 2006; 12(1): 40-47.
Galantino ML, Bzdewka TM, Eissler-Russo JL, et al.: The impact of modified Hatha yoga on chronic low back pain: A pilot study. Altern Ther Health Med. 2004; 10(2): 56-59.
Tran MD, Holly RG, Lashbrook J, et al.: Effects of Hatha yoga practice on the health-related aspects of physical fitness. Prev Cardiol. 2001; 4(4): 165-170.
Raju PS, Prasad KV, Venkata RY, et al.: Influence of intensive yoga training on physiological changes in six adult women: A case report. J Altern Complement Med. 1997; 3(3): 291-295.
Bastille JV, Gill-Body KM: A yoga-based exercise program for people with chronic poststroke hemiparesis. Phys Ther. 2004; 84(1): 33-48.
Ruchlin HS, Lachs MS: Prevalence and correlates of exercise among older adults. JAppl Gerontol. 1999; 18(3): 341-357.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Physical Activity and Health. Older Adults. Washington, DC: President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. 1999.
Rippe JM, Ward A, Porcari JP, et al.: Walking for health and fitness. JAMA. 1988; 259(18): 2720-2724.
King AC, Baumann K, O’Sullivan P, et al.: Effects of moderate-intensity exercise on physiological, behavioral, and emotional responses to family caregiving: A randomized controlled trial. J Gerontol: Ser A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2002; 57(1): M26-M36.
Li F, Fisher KJ, Harmer P: Improving physical function and blood pressure in older adults through cobblestone mat walking: A randomized trial. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2005; 53(8): 1305-1312.
Morris JN, Hardman AE: Walking to health. Sports Med. 1997; 23(5): 306-332.
Siegel PZ, Brackbill RM, Heath GW: The epidemiology of walking for exercise: Implications for promoting activity among sedentary groups. Am J Public Health. 1995; 85(5): 706-710.
Kolasinski SL, Garfinkel M, Tsai AG, et al.: Iyengar yoga for treating symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knees: A pilot study. J Altern Complement Med. 2005; 11(4): 689-693.
Chan AS, Ho YC, Cheung MC, et al.: Association between mind-body and cardiovascular exercises and memory in older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2005; 53(10): 1754-1760.
Culos-Reed SN, Carlson IE, Daroux LM, et al.: A pilot study of yoga for cancer survivors: Physical and psychological benefits. Psychooncology. 2006; 15: 891-897.
Hooyman NR, Kiyak HA: Social Gerontology: A Multidisciplinary Perspective. 7th ed. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon, 2005.
Stevens AB, Coon D, Wisniewski S, et al.: Measurement of leisure time satisfaction in family caregivers. Aging Ment Health. 2004; 8(5): 450-459.
Center for Aging Studies: A Decade of Informal Caregiving: Data Profile. Washington, DC: Georgetown University, 2005.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright 2000-2023, Weston Medical Publishing, LLC
All Rights Reserved
