Abstract
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.