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Background: Population aging is a global trend, and the number of older adults living alone is increasing. Tai chi, a traditional Chinese exercise, has been shown to improve the physical and mental health of older adults. Aim: To investigate the effects of tai chi on death anxiety in older adults living alone and the role of social support and psychological capital in this relationship. Method: A cross-sectional study of 493 older adults living alone in four cities in southwestern China. Participants were assessed using questionnaires on tai chi practice, social support, psychological capital, and death anxiety. Results: Tai chi practice significantly reduced death anxiety in older adults living alone. It also positively correlated with social support and psychological capital, both of which negatively correlated with death anxiety. Social support and psychological capital mediated the relationship between tai chi practice and death anxiety, suggesting that tai chi may reduce death anxiety through these factors. These findings encourage older adults living alone to practice tai chi, as it may improve their mental and physical health and reduce their risk of death anxiety. Conclusion: Tai chi practice may reduce death anxiety in older adults living alone through the chain-mediated effects of social support and psychological capital. This suggests that tai chi may be a beneficial intervention for older adults living alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic negatively influenced individuals' physical activity levels (PALs) and particularly the PAL of the elderly. However, few studies have examined the correlates of PALs in this population during the pandemic. This study aimed to evaluate the residence-specific correlates of PALs in elderly people from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina during the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants were 211 persons older than 65 years (101 females), of whom 111 were community-dwelling residents, and 110 were nursing home residents (71.11 ± 3.11 and 72.22 ± 4.01 years of age, respectively; t-test = 0.91, p < 0.05). The variables included health status, residential status sociodemographic factors, anthropometrics (body mass, height, and body mass index), and PAL. PAL was evaluated using a translated version of the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE), and was validated in this study. PASE showed good test–retest reliability (51% of the common variance) and validity (57% of the common variance, with the step count measured using pedometers). Apart from participants' health status and age, PAL was positively correlated with (i) community-dwelling residence (OR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.60–2.23), and (ii) a lower BMI (OR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.71–0.98). The pre-pandemic physical activity was positively correlated with the PAL of the nursing home residents (OR = 1.2, 95% CI: 1.02–1.45). A higher education level was positively correlated with the PAL of community-dwelling residents (OR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.04–1.66). This study evidenced the residence-specific correlates of PALs, and enabled the identification of specific groups that are at risk of having low PALs during the pandemic. Future studies examining this problem during a non-pandemic period are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Green and open spaces are conducive to physical activity for the elderly. However, it is unclear how different landscape characteristics relate to the physical activity of the elderly. (2) Methods: following the PRISMA method, this study reviewed the existing literature on the landscape characteristics correlated with the elderly's physical activity (PA) from Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed. We conducted a systematic full-text review of 25 eligible reports and studies related to the linkage between the characteristics of green and open spaces and the elderly's physical activity (PA); (3) Results: Nature/greenery, safety, road/path conditions, aesthetics, PA facilities, accessibility, amenity, water, and elderly accessibility facilities were found to be positively associated with elderly's PA. Pavement conditions (gravel), the presence of water, poor maintenance, neighborhood aesthetics, and GVI are negatively correlated with the elderly's PA; (4) Conclusions: We close the paper by making a few recommendations for future policy-making, practice, and research. It is suggested that the landscape characteristics be applied in evidence-based policy-making and design, and in tackling health inequality. Future research should be more specific about the impact of site-scale factors, include landscape characteristics specifically needed by the elderly to conduct PA, and involve a wider scope of green and open space on top of neighborhood green and open space and parks. Additionally, these studies should take into consideration different cultural settings and geographical scales to reveal the different effects of various aspects of green and open space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: There is limited evidence for emergency physicians and emergency trauma surgeons regarding the determinants of early and rapid assessment of older adult in-hospital mortality due to earthquakes. This study explored factors related to the early and rapid assessment of the mortality among older adult earthquake trauma patients (OAETPs) and created a screening model. METHODS: Data on 7,308 OAETPs from the West China Earthquake Patients Database were analyzed retrospectively. The 35 variables that can be obtained rapidly on arrival at the hospital were collected. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis was performed. Then, the nomogram for assessing the mortality of OAETPs was constructed. RESULTS: We identified 10 independent mortality-related factors that contributed to the inhospital mortality of OAETPs. The 10 factors included age (odds ratio [OR]=1.061, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.031–1.090), dementia (OR=5.146, 95%CI: 1.169–17.856), coronary heart disease (CHD; OR=23.441, 95%CI: 4.799–83.927), malignant tumor (OR=8.497, 95%CI: 3.583–17.967), deep vein thrombosis (DVT; OR=7.110, 95%CI: 1.369–27.168), chronic kidney disease(CKD; OR=11.783, 95%CI: 5.419–24.407), pulse rate (PR; OR=1.036, 95%CI: 1.022–1.048), mean artery pressure (MAP; OR=0.960, 95%CI: 0.945–0.975), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS; OR=0.864, 95%CI: 0.760–0.972), and Triage Revised Trauma Score (T-RTS, OR=0.485, 95%CI: 0.351–0.696). CONCLUSION: The 10 mortality-related factors could be quickly obtained on hospital arrival and should be the focal point of future earthquake response strategies regarding hospitalized older adults with trauma. A nomogram was constructed based on the factors for screening OAETPs with a higher risk of in-hospital mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the context of the ageing of the French population, physical activity becomes a principal means for maintaining good health. International organisations are thus giving increasing importance to physical activity in programmes of disease-prevention. In parallel with these concerns, studies have shown the impact of sedentary activities (in particularly as a result of the seated position and screen time) on health. Objective: To show the links between physical activity, sedentarism and health indicators and to identify the socio-demographic variables by which they are influenced (particularly gender). Study design: This is a transversal epidemiological study conducted among the French population between 2014 and 2016 by Santé publique France, the national public health agency. Methods: The RPAQ (Recent Physical Activity Questionnaire) was used to measure the physical activity and sedentary lifestyle of individuals. The analyses focus on the behaviours among the population of older adults (55–74 years old, n = 1155). Results: A third of French older adults does not meet the WHO recommended physical activity levels, particularly so among women. The results of this survey point to significant links between health indicators (especially overweight and obesity) and the physical activity level and sedentarity of older adults. From the age of 60, energy expenditure linked to physical activity increases before decreasing from the age of 65. Older adults spend almost 6 hours per day in sedentary activities. The combinations between physical activity and sedentarism highlight four profiles of older adults. The most active profile is the one with the best health indicators. Conclusion: The links between health, sedentarity and physical activity are unequivocal: people who achieve the WHO recommendations for physical activity and spend less than 7 hours each day in sedentary activities are those who also have the best health indicators. These results vary with sociographic characteristics and reveal significant links with health indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: It is important to sustain mobility in order to maintain functionality and physical independence in the elderly. The aim was to evaluate the perception of exercise in the elderly in terms of the benefits of and barriers to exercise and determine the related factors. Materials and Method: 138 elderly people aged 65 and over were included in the study. Demographics, ambulation status and duration, history of falls, spontaneous/low-energy fractures, exercise/walking activities were recorded. Depression states, benefits and barriers of exercise, risk of falling, balance and Daily activities were evaluated. Results: The average age of the patients was 71.59±6.21 years and 52.2% were female. Only a quarter (24.6%) reported regular exercise, 50.7% had history of falling, and 18.8% had a fracture history. Only 24.6% of the patients walked for exercise purposes and 44.2% did exercise. The perception of exercise benefit was significantly higher in those with a history of falling (p=0.012) and significantly lower in those who walked for exercise purposes and did exercise (p<0.001 and p<0.001). Perception of exercise benefit was positively correlated with depression, negatively correlated with Lawton-Brody, and perception of obstacle was negatively correlated with balance (r=0.333, r=-0.375, r=-0.383, respectively). Depression level, perceived benefit of exercise, risk of falling were higher in women whereas balance disorder was higher in men (p<0.001, p=0.049, p=0.004, respectively). Conclusion: In the elderly, exercise is associated with the perception of benefit/obstacle, depression, risk of falling/fracture, balance and functional dependence. Active life should be supported by strengthening the perception of benefit and reducing the perception of obstacles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Improvements in physical, mental, and overall quality of life are well documented in younger HIV populations who exercise. Exercise guidelines exist for younger HIV populations, but none for older people living with HIV (OPLWH), especially 50 years of age and older. Our aim was to map the existing literature on the effects of exercise and physical activity prescriptions for OPLWH. Methods: We conducted a scoping review using the methodological framework proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. Online searches on five research databases yielded 503 published articles. Fifteen studies met the study's inclusion criteria. Results: The most commonly used parameters of exercise included aerobic and strength training, as well as a combination of both. The physical, psychological and Quality of Life (QoL) impact of physical activity and its effect on OPLWH is evidently beneficial. Overall, a positive correlation between exercise and physical, mental and functional status was observed. No adverse side effects, or safety and efficacy concerns, during the use of exercise were reported. Conclusion: This review confirms the dearth of evidence on physical activity and exercise in the context of OPLWH. Of greater concern is the fact that there were no studies conducted in sub-Saharan Africa, the global region with by far the highest HIV burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To explore everyday life experiences of being active in aged adults´ with walking impairment one year after hip fracture (HF). Methods: A phenomenological-hermeneutic study design is based on Heidegger´s and Gadamer´s thinking focusing on aged adults being-in-the-world one year after HF. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted from May to July 2017 in the homes of nine participants, who were part of a longitudinal qualitative study with four interview-rounds for a period of 18 months after the HF event. The analysis was interpretative and secured that the authors´ pre-understanding was put at stake through a five-step process of meaning condensation. Results: One theme, "Enduring life in between a sense of renewal and loss of courage", described aged adults´ experiences of being active in three sub-themes: "Facing loss and losing courage", "Taking up the challenge and maintaining courage ", and "Renewing the energy to be active". Living with being under change and increased vulnerability created a challenge in maintaining courage and reaching for possibilities to unfold their own being in life. Conclusion: This study contributes knowledge on how the aged adults´ experiences of the balance between courage and loss in being active one year after HF are profoundly connected with experiences of well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Up to 60% of older adults have a lifestyle characterized by low physical activity (PA) and high sedentary behavior (SB). This can amplify age-related declines in physical and cognitive functions and may therefore affect the ability to complete basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL and IADL, respectively), which are essential for independence. This systematic review aims to describe the association of objectively measured PA and SB with ADL and IADL in community-dwelling older adults. Six databases (PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane library, CINAHL, PsychINFO, SPORTDiscuss) were searched from inception to 21/06/2020 for articles meeting our eligibility criteria: 1) observational or experimental study, 2) participants' mean/median age ≥ 60 years, 3) community-dwelling older adults, 4) PA and SB were measured with a(n) accelerometer/pedometer, 5) PA and SB were studied in relation to ADL and/or IADL. Risk of bias was assessed in duplicate using modified versions of the Newcastle–Ottawa scale. Effect direction heat maps provided an overview of associations and standardized regression coefficients (βs) were depicted in albatross plots. Thirty articles (6 longitudinal; 24 cross-sectional) were included representing 24,959 (range: 23 to 2749) community-dwelling older adults with mean/median age ranging from 60.0 to 92.3 years (54.6% female). Higher PA and lower SB were associated with better ability to complete ADL and IADL in all longitudinal studies and overall results of cross-sectional studies supported these associations, which underscores the importance of an active lifestyle. The median [interquartile range] of βs for associations of PA/SB with ADL and IADL were, respectively, 0.145 [0.072, 0.280] and 0.135 [0.093, 0.211]. Our strategy to address confounding may have suppressed the true relationship of PA and SB with ADL or IADL because of over-adjustment in some included studies. Future research should aim for standardization in PA and SB assessment to unravel dose–response relationships and inform guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical and cognitive training can maintain and improve older adults' independence and quality of life. Given the demographic growth of the older adult population and the shortage of caregivers, there is a need for personal trainers for physical and cognitive activities. This study suggests that social robots can satisfy this demand and presents the development of "Gymmy", a robotic system for the physical and cognitive training of older adults. The system design includes a humanoid mechanical-looking robot to demonstrate exercises, an RGB-Depth (RGB-D) camera to measure performance and a touch screen and speakers to provide instructions and feedback. Experiments with 26 older adults (65–84 years of age) were performed in home environments to examine the effect of users' characteristics (age, gender, education and attitude toward robots), the addition of cognitive training and the success rate of the acceptability of a robot trainer. The results showed that age, attitude and education influenced the acceptance of the robotic system. The findings highlight the importance of customizing the system to the needs of different users and the role of meaningful feedback. The system was proven to be robust and reliable, demonstrating clear potential to be used as a personal trainer and as a means of motivating older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The strategy of successful ageing is an important means to deal with the challenges of the current ageing society. This paper aims to explore the effects of different intensities of physical activity on the successful ageing of the elderly.Methods: Our data were from wave 4 of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey (CHARLS), involving 9026 residents aged 60 years and older. The intensity of physical activity was divided into three levels: vigorous, moderate and mild. The concept of successful ageing adopted a four-dimensional model of life satisfaction added to the theoretical model of Rowe and Kahn's. Propensity score matching (PSM) with controlling nine confounding factors were used to analyse the effects of different intensities of physical activity.Results: The percentage of successful ageing was 1.88% among all subjects. Among them, 30.26, 29.57 and 29.40% of the elderly often participated in vigorous, moderate and mild physical activity, respectively. The results of PSM showed that participation in moderate activity increased the probability of successful ageing of the elderly by 0.76-0.78% (P < 0.001), while participation in vigorous and mild physical activity had no significant effect on successful ageing (P > 0.05). Moderate physical activity had statistically significant effects on four components of successful aging, including major disease, physical function, life satisfaction, and social participation (P < 0.05).Conclusion: Moderate-intensity physical activity was most beneficial to the successful ageing of the elderly and should be promoted in the elderly population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The health-related physical fitness involves fitness components that affect habitual physical activity and are related to health status, such as cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular fitness, flexibility, motor coordination, and body composition [[12]]. The functional fitness, the muscle strength, joint flexibility, body balance, and cardiovascular capacity, plays an important role in preserving elderlies' autonomy [[8], [11]]. Regarding the old people physical fitness, their functionality is a very important topic regarding health-related issues, autonomy and independence. Research Topics Improving the physical fitness by physical activity or exercise programs may change the body composition and independency. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Being active is vital and a source of well-being. However, 18 months after hip fracture (HF), progress seems to have come to a halt. Aged adults may feel vulnerable, experiencing ongoing dependency and limited possibilities for socializing. How they experience the meaningfulness of being active during these circumstances is unknown. The aim of this study was to explore experiences of the meaningfulness of being active for aged adults 18 months after HF.Methods: A phenomenological-hermeneutic methodology based on the philosophies of Heidegger and Gadamer was applied. Data were collected using individual interviews conducted in participants' homes. The study was part of a longitudinal study, and three former interviews helped build trusting relationships with participants and focus the semi-structured interview guide. An existential theory of well-being and suffering considering health to be a balancing of mobility and dwelling was applied. Participants were nine aged adults 65 years or older with pre-fracture dependency included in the study 18 months earlier while still in hospital after HF. The interpretation was a process of analyzing data by moving between the parts and the whole as a means of gaining a deeper understanding and continuously testing pre-understandings. The analysis followed five steps: a) getting a sense of the whole b) delineating and condensing meaning units, c) interpreting meaning units, d) relating to study purpose, and e) developing themes and sub-themes.Results: Two main themes emerged. The main-theme "Feeling the continuity of life "had four sub-themes: "Gratitude for present possibilities, ""Connected with earlier life-experience, ""Thoughtfully managing vulnerability, "and "Belonging with other people. "The main-theme "Feeling vulnerable "had two sub-themes: "Thwarted "and "Sad and regretting lost continuity in life.".Conclusions: Eighteen months after HF, aged adults seem to be struggling on their own to be active in meaningful ways. To maintain hope, relieve the strain in everyday life, and maintain a sense of safety and self-confidence, they may need help. However, to avoid suffering, there is a need to balance additional training and a struggle for progress with well-being experiences in terms of feeling gratitude, restoring a sense of normality, and feeling kinship with other people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Older people living with HIV (OPLWH) are expected to live longer in the era of antiretroviral treatment, but at the same time, they are at risk for developing various health complications as a consequence of a life with the infection, exposure to medications that carry their own toxicity and side effects, and the natural effects of aging on the immune system. Because senescence is an inherent process that can be accelerated by HIV, it is important to identify strategies that can modify this phenomenon. Emerging data suggests that while physical activity and exercise may not have a positive impact on viral replication and on the immune system of people living with HIV, it can elicit improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness, strength, body composition, and overall quality of life. The purpose of this study is to map out empirical evidence on the effects of physical activity and exercise in OPLWH. Methods: The scoping review methods will be guided by the framework proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. Literature searches will be conducted in the following electronic databases (from inception onwards): PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Peer-reviewed journal papers will be included if they are written in English, involved human participants aged 50 years, and older with HIV and described a measure for physical, mental, or functional status of physical activity/exercise and/or the recommendations in OPLWH. Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method studies will be included in order to consider different aspects of measuring the effects of physical activity and exercise (e.g., quality of life, functional status, activities of daily living). Two reviewers will screen all citations and full-text articles. We will abstract data, organize them into themes and sub-themes, summarize them, and report the results using a narrative synthesis. The study methodological quality (or bias) will be appraised using a Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Discussion: The evidence gathered from the selected studies will be discussed in relation to the research questions using a narrative to identify and explore emergent themes. The review will provide a baseline of evidence on exercise and physical activity interventions for OPLWH. It will highlight gaps regarding the use of exercise and physical activity and contribute to the design of an effective intervention approach to the rehabilitation of OPLWH. Systematic review registration: Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/728kp/). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Identifying those people at increased risk of early functional decline in activities of daily living (ADL) is essential for initiating preventive interventions. The aim of this study is to develop and validate a clinical prediction model for onset of functional decline in ADL in three years of follow-up in older people of 65-75 years old.Methods: Four population-based cohort studies were pooled for the analysis: ActiFE-ULM (Germany), ELSA (United Kingdom), InCHIANTI (Italy), LASA (Netherlands). Included participants were 65-75 years old at baseline and reported no limitations in functional ability in ADL at baseline. Functional decline was assessed with two items on basic ADL and three items on instrumental ADL. Participants who reported at least some limitations at three-year follow-up on any of the five items were classified as experiencing functional decline. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to develop a prediction model, with subsequent bootstrapping for optimism-correction. We applied internal-external cross-validation by alternating the data from the four cohort studies to assess the discrimination and calibration across the cohorts.Results: Two thousand five hundred sixty community-dwelling people were included in the analyses (mean age 69.7 ± 3.0 years old, 47.4% female) of whom 572 (22.3%) reported functional decline at three-year follow-up. The final prediction model included 10 out of 22 predictors: age, handgrip strength, gait speed, five-repeated chair stands time (non-linear association), body mass index, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, arthritis, and depressive symptoms. The optimism-corrected model showed good discrimination with a C statistic of 0.72. The calibration intercept was 0.06 and the calibration slope was 1.05. Internal-external cross-validation showed consistent performance of the model across the four cohorts.Conclusions: Based on pooled cohort data analyses we were able to show that the onset of functional decline in ADL in three years in older people aged 65-75 years can be predicted by specific physical performance measures, age, body mass index, presence of depressive symptoms, and chronic conditions. The prediction model showed good discrimination and calibration, which remained stable across the four cohorts, supporting external validity of our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aims to describe the prevalence and transitions of frailty among rural-community dwelling older adults in Malaysia and to analyse factors associated with different states of frailty transition. Frailty was conceptualized using modified Fried phenotype from the Cardiovascular Health Study. Design: This is a prospective longitudinal study with 12-months follow up among older adults in Malaysia. Setting: Kuala Pilah, a district in Negeri Sembilan, which is one of the fourteen states in Malaysia. Participants: 2,324 community-dwelling older Malaysians aged 60 years and older. Results: The overall prevalence of frailty in this study was 9.4% (95% CI 7.8–11.2). The prevalence increased at least three-fold with every 10 years of age. This increase was seen higher in women compared to men. Being frail was significantly associated with older age, women, and respondents with a higher number of chronic diseases, poor cognitive function and low socioeconomic status (p<0.05). During the 12-months follow-up, our study showed that the transition towards greater frailty states were more likely (22.9%) than transition toward lesser frailty states (19.9%) while majority (57.2%) remained unchanged. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that presence of low physical activity increased the likelihood of worsening transition towards greater frailty states by three times (OR 2.9, 95% CI 2.2–3.7) and lowered the likelihood of transition towards lesser frailty states (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.2–0.4). Conclusion: Frailty is reported among one in every eleven older adults in this study. The prevalence increased across age groups and was higher among women than men. Frailty possesses a dynamic status due to its potential reversibility. This reversibility makes it a cornerstone to delay frailty progression. Our study noted that physical activity conferred the greatest benefit as a modifiable factor in frailty prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thanks to diagnostic and therapeutic advances, the elderly population is continuously increasing in the western countries. Accordingly, the prevalence of most chronic age-related diseases will increase considerably in the next decades, thus it will be necessary to implement effective preventive measures to face this epidemiological challenge. Among those, physical activity exerts a crucial role, since it has been proven to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, cognitive impairment and cancer. The favorable effects of exercise on cardiovascular homeostasis can be at least in part ascribed to the modulation of the neuro-hormonal systems implicated in cardiovascular pathophysiology. In the elderly, exercise has been shown to affect catecholamine secretion and biosynthesis, to positively modulate the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and to reduce the levels of plasma brain natriuretic peptides. Moreover, drugs modulating the neuro-hormonal systems may favorably affect physical capacity in the elderly. Thus, efforts should be made to actually make physical activity become part of the therapeutic tools in the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Restorative home care services help older people maximise their independence using a multi-dimensional approach. They usually include an exercise program designed to improve the older person's strength, balance and function. The types of programs currently offered require allocation of time during the day to complete specific exercises. This is not how the majority of home care clients prefer to be active and may be one of the reasons that few older people do the exercises regularly and continue the exercises post discharge. This paper describes the study protocol to test whether a Lifestyle Functional Exercise (LiFE) program: 1) is undertaken more often; 2) is more likely to be continued over the longer term; and, 3) will result in greater functional gains compared to a standard exercise program for older people receiving a restorative home care service. Methods/Design Design: A pragmatic randomised controlled trial (RCT) design was employed with two study arms: LiFE program (intervention) and the current exercise program (control). Setting: Silver Chain, a health and community care organisation in Perth, Western Australia. Participants: One hundred and fifty restorative home care clients, aged 65 years and older. Measurements: The primary outcome is a composite measure incorporating balance, strength and mobility. Other outcome measures include: physical functioning, falls efficacy, and levels of disability and functioning. Discussion If LiFE is more effective than the current exercise program, the evidence will be presented to the service management accompanied by the recommendation that it be adopted as the generic exercise program to be used within the restorative home care service. Trial registration Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12611000788976. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder brought about due to dopaminergic neuronal cell loss in the midbrain substantia nigra pars compacta region. PD presents most commonly in older adults and is a disorder of both motor and nonmotor dysfunction. The novel SARS-CoV-2 virus is responsible for the recent COVID-19 pandemic, and older individuals, those with preexisting medical conditions, or both have an increased risk of developing COVID-19 with more severe outcomes. People-with-Parkinson's (PwP) of advanced age can have both immune and autonomic nervous problems that potentially lead to pre-existing pulmonary dysfunction and higher infection risk, increasing the probability of contracting COVID-19. A lifestyle change involving moderate-intensity exercise has the potential to protect against SARS-CoV-2 through strengthening the immune system. In addition to a potential protective measure against SARS-CoV-2, exercise has been shown to improve quality-of-life (QoL) in PD patients. Recent studies provide evidence of exercise as both neuroprotective and neuroplastic. This article is a literature review investigating the role exercise plays in modifying the immune system, improving health outcomes in PwP, and potentially acting as a protective measure against SARS-Cov-2 infection. We conclude that exercise, when correctly performed, improves QoL and outcomes in PwP, and that the enhanced immune response from moderate-intensity exercise could potentially offer additional protection against COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]