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Physical activity and functional limitations in older adults: a systematic review related to Canada's Physical Activity Guidelines
Paterson DH, Warburton DE.. The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity, 2010-05-11
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Results Sixty-six studies met inclusion criteria for the relationship between physical activity and functional independence, and 34 were included with a cognitive function outcome. Greater physical activity of an aerobic nature (categorized by a variety of methods) was associated with higher functional status (expressed by a host of outcome measures) in older age. A relatively high level of physical activity was related to better cognitive function and reduced risk of developing dementia; however, there were mixed results of the effects of exercise interventions on cognitive function indices. Although a precise characterization of a minimal or effective physical activity dose to maintain functional independence is difficult, it appears moderate to higher levels of activity are effective and there may be a threshold of at least moderate activity for significant outcomes.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Paterson, D. H., & Warburton, D. E. (2010). Physical activity and functional limitations in older adults: a systematic review related to Canada's Physical Activity Guidelines. The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity. https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5868-7-38
Vancouver
Paterson DH, Warburton DE. Physical activity and functional limitations in older adults: a systematic review related to Canada's Physical Activity Guidelines. The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity. 2010. doi:10.1186/1479-5868-7-38. PMID: 20459782.
BibTeX
@article{paterson2010-20459782,
author = {Paterson, D. H. and Warburton, D. E.},
title = {{Physical activity and functional limitations in older adults: a systematic review related to Canada's Physical Activity Guidelines}},
journal = {The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity},
year = {2010},
doi = {10.1186/1479-5868-7-38},
pmid = {20459782},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5868-7-38}
}
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
Key findings
- Results Sixty-six studies met inclusion criteria for the relationship between physical activity and functional independence, and 34 were included with a cognitive function outcome.
- Greater physical activity of an aerobic nature (categorized by a variety of methods) was associated with higher functional status (expressed by a host of outcome measures) in older age.
- A relatively high level of physical activity was related to better cognitive function and reduced risk of developing dementia; however, there were mixed results of the effects of exercise interventions on cognitive function indices.
- Although a precise characterization of a minimal or effective physical activity dose to maintain functional independence is difficult, it appears moderate to higher levels of activity are effective and there may be a threshold of at least moderate activity for significant outcomes.
Why it matters
This systematic review found that a relatively high level of physical activity was related to better cognitive function and reduced risk of developing dementia, although results of exercise interventions on cognitive function indices were mixed. It suggests moderate to higher levels of activity may be effective, with possibly a threshold of at least moderate activity for significant outcomes.
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Study details
- Study designcohort study
- Evidence strengthModerate
How this study scored 57/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a cohort study following people over time. Scored zero for sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity: journal h-index 208 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 7 / 12 | A cohort study following people over time |
| Strength of evidence | 3 / 5 | Rated “moderate” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 2010 — within 20 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 6 / 7 | Cited 953 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 5 / 5 | 52.9 citations a year over 18 year(s) since 2010 |
| Impact for its field and year | 2 / 6 | Cited 2.8× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 2 / 6 | Cited by 3 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 3 / 4 | Cited 181 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 3 / 4 | Last-listed author Darren E. R. Warburton: h-index 64 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | University of British Columbia: institution h-index 1,424 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 20459782) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 57 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.1186/1479-5868-7-38
- PubMed: 20459782
- Original source →
- Free full text: International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
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Referenced by this study and also in the alzhub library, so you can read them here.
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