The health benefits following regular ongoing exercise lifestyle in independent community‐dwelling older Taiwanese adults

Aim:  To examine the effect of regular ongoing exercise lifestyle on mental and physical health in a group of independent community‐dwelling Taiwanese older adults over a 2‐year period. Methods:  197 older adults (mean age 72.5 years; 106 men and 91 women) who were independent in walking, instrumental and basic activities of daily living completed the baseline and a 2‐year follow‐up assessment. Older adults regularly performing exercises during the 2‐year study period were grouped into regular exercise group; otherwise in the irregular exercise group. Baseline and follow‐up assessments included a face‐to‐face interview and a battery of performance tests. Results:  The regular exercise group showed significantly less depression ( P = 0.03) and tended to regress less on the performance tests ( P = 0.025–0.410) across 2 years compared to the irregular exercise group. Conclusion:  Regular exercise is important for maintaining or even improving mental and functional health, even for independent community‐dwelling older adults.