Move more, age well: prescribing physical activity for older adults

KEY POINTS
Physical activity is a modifiable risk factor for more than 30 chronic conditions relevant to the older adult; 150 minutes per week of moderate physical activity can reduce all-cause mortality by 31% compared with no physical activity.

Physical activity is one of the most important ways to preserve or improve functional independence, including among older adults who are frail or deemed to be at increased risk of falling.

Higher levels of physical activity in older age are associated with improvements in cognition, mental health, and quality of life.

Age, frailty, or existing functional impairments should not be viewed as an absolute contraindication to physical activity but, considering the benefits of physical activity interventions for older adults, a key reason to prescribe exercise.