Effects of Exercise Intervention on Physical and Cognitive Functions in Elderly Individuals with Locomotive Syndrome

Abstract

In humans, aging is associated with declines in physical and cognitive functions. Physical activity and exercise have received attention as a potential preventive measure against these age-related functional declines. Locomotive syndrome (LS) is a condition manifested by high-risk patients with musculoskeletal disease who are high likely to require nursing care. Physical activity and exercise can enhance motor, cognitive, and social functioning in old age. Nursing home residents are characteristically older and have high prevalence rates of multiple morbidities, frailty, impaired mobility, severe cognitive deficits, and depression. However, little is known about the effects of exercise interventions on the physical and cognitive functions of elderly residents diagnosed with LS. In this paper, we discuss the necessity of exercise interventions for elderly residents with LS.