The number of adults aged 65 and above is increasing. Improving quality of life and preventing and/or reducing diseases and medical conditions is a social, moral and political challenge. Physical activity is a key factor in this regard. The level of physical activity is closely linked to a person's well-being and mobility. Research has indicated that the amount of physical activity declines with age.

Knowledge
The students must be able to:

• describe the human aging processes
• describe the effects of physical activity in seniors
• describe the association between physical activity and seniors' well-being
• discuss how physical activity may prevent and help treat diseases and medical conditions prevalent among seniors
• Know how to implement physical activity to seniors in different settings

Skills
The students must be able to:

• plan, organize and conduct training sessions for seniors, individually and in groups
• perform fitness test on elderly people 
• review scientific articles and present the content in writing and orally to fellow students, instructors and seniors.

General qualifications
The students must be able to:

• identify and review how physical activity helps treat and prevent diseases among seniors.

The course consists of lectures, case-based teaching, mandatory practical training and presentations; individually and in groups.

3-hour written examination. Grading:  A-F.

Recourses/materials which may be used in the exam: Dictionary

BOOK:
Taylor, A.W. & Johnson, M.J. (2008). Physiology of exercise and healthy aging. Champaign, Ill.: Human Kinetics.
Chapters to read: Introduction, 1-3 and 5-10.
You will find the book in the Library: ORIA


ARTICLES:

NB! To open electronic articles/books off campus, you must use the following VPN connection: Click here to download.

Arent, S.M., Landers, D.M. & Etnier, J.L. (2000). The effects of exercise on mood in older adults: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 8, 407-430.
The article is available online: Click here to download.

Chodzko-Zajko, W. J., Proctor, D. N., FSingh, M.A.F., Minson, C. T., Nigg, C. R., Salem, G. J. et al. (2009). American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Exercise and physical activity for older adults. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 41(7), 1510-1530.
The article is available online: Click here to download.

Christensen, K., Doblhammer, G., Rau, R. & Vauper, J.W. (2009). Ageing populations: the challenges ahead. Lancet, 374, 1196-1208.
The article is available online: Click here to download.
It's also available here: Click here to download.

Hunter, G. R., McCarthy, J. P., & Bamman, M. M. (2004). Effects of resistance training on older adults. Sports Medicine, 34(5), 329-348.
The article is available online: Click here to download

Netz, Y., Wu, M.J., Becker, B.J. & Tenenbaum, G. (2005). Physical activity and psychological well-being in advanced age: A meta-analysis of intervention studies. Psychology and Aging, 20, 272-284
The article is available online: Click here to download

Solberg, P. A., Kvamme, N. H., Raastad, T., Ommundsen, Y., Tomten, S. E., Halvari, H. et al. (2011). Effects of different types of exercise on muscle mass, strength, function and well-being in elderly. European Journal of Sport Science, 13(1), 112-125.
The article is available online: Click here to download

Solberg, P. A., Halvari, H., Ommundsen, Y., & Hopkins, W. G. (2014). A 1-year follow-up of effects of exercise programs on well-being in older adults. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 22(1), 52-64.
The article is available online: Click here to download


COLLECTION OF PAPERS:
Andersson, S.H. (Ed.). (2015). FAH 325: Physical Activity and Seniors: Fall 2015. (Artikkelsamling). Oslo: Norges idrettshøgskole.
This one will be handed out.

The reference list for the paper collection above, in APA-style:
DiPietro, L. (2001). Physical activity in aging: Changes in patterns and their relationship to health and function. The Journals of Gerontology, 56(Spec No 2), 13-22.

Landers, K.A., Hunter, G.R., Wetzstein, C.J., Bamman, M.M. & Weinsier, R.L. (2001). The interrelationship among muscle mass, strength and the ability to perform pysical tasks of daily living in younger and older women. The Journals of Gerontology, 56(19), B443-448.