Factors affecting the benefits of a six-month supervised exercise program on community-dwelling older adults: interactions among age,gender, and participation

[Purpose] This study determined the effects of age, gender, and participation on thebenefits of a 6-month supervised exercise program on older adults. [Subjects and Methods]Eighty-five (37 women, 48 men) community-dwelling older adults participated. The chairsit-and-reach test, the 8-foot up-and-go test, the 6-minute walk test, the Berg BalanceScale, lower-body flexibility, dynamic balance, aerobic endurance, balance, metabolicrate, muscle strength, and position sense were evaluated. Repeated-measures of analysis ofvariance was performed including dependent variables of age, gender, and participation inthe exercise program as dependent inter-subject factors and time of assessment as anintra-subject factor. [Results] Mean exercise participation was 29.88 ± 1.29 sessions.Flexibility, balance, position sense, and strength showed a significant main effect oftime. There was a significant gender interaction for right shoulder flexion strength andknee extension strength, a significant gender-participation interaction forpre-/post-intervention measures of functional mobility, and a significantage-participation interaction for flexibility. [Conclusion] Exercise training improvedoutcomes after 6 months of supervised exercise, but the changes were similar regardless ofparticipation level. Changes in strength were more pronounced in men than women.Key words: Exercise benefits, Older adults, Age