Perceptions of participating in high-intensity functional exercise among older people dependent in activities of daily living (ADL)

The purpose of the study was to evaluate how older people, dependent in ADL perceive their participation in a high-intensity, functional exercise program compared to the perceptions of those participating in a control activity. Forty-eight older people living in residential care facilities answered a questionnaire about their perceptions of participating in an activity for three months. They were aged 65–98, had a mean score of 24 on Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and 14 on Barthel ADL Index. The participants had been randomized to exercise (n = 20) or control activity (n = 28). Differences in responses between exercise and control activity were evaluated using logistic and ordinal regression analyses. The results show that a majority of the exercise group perceived positive changes in lower limb strength, balance, and in the ability to move more safely and securely compared to a minority of the control group (p < 0.001). Significantly more respondents in the exercise activity answered that they felt less tired due to the activity (p = 0.027) and that they prioritized this activity above other activities (p = 0.010). More exercise participants reported that meeting for three months was too short, and fewer that it was too long compared to the control group (p = 0.038). This study shows that older people living in residential care facilities, dependent in ADL, and with mild or no cognitive impairment had positive perceptions about participating in high-intensity functional exercise. The findings support the use of a high-intensity exercise program in this population of older people.