Strength Training and Light Physical Activity Reduces the Apnea-Hypopnea Index in Institutionalized Older Adults

Objectives: To determine the effect of 7 weeks of resistance training and walking on the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) in institutionalized older adults compared with a usual care control group. Design: Secondary analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial. Setting: Ten nursing and 3 assisted living facilities in Arkansas. Participants: Institutionalized older adults. Interventions: Exercise group (EG) performed supervised resistance training to arm and hip extensors on 3 days a week with additional 2 days a week of light walking. Usual care group (UC) participated in the usual activities provided within their living facility. Measurements: Two nights of polysomnography before and following 7-week intervention. Results: Adjusted means in the EG group showed a decrease in AHI from 20.2 (SD +/- 1.3) at baseline to 16.7 (SD +/- 0.9) at 7 weeks. Absolute strength gains were not associated with improved AHI. Conclusion: Supervised resistance training and light walking reduced the severity of obstructive sleep apnea in institutionalized older adults. (C) 2014 AMDA - The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine.