This Article  • References  • Full text PDF  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citation map  • Citing articles on HighWire  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in JAMA  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

Walter M. Bortz II, MD

JAMA. 1982;248(10):1203-1208.

Abstract
A review of biologic changes commonly attributed to the process of aging demonstrates the close similarity of most of these to changes subsequent to a period of enforced physical inactivity. The coincidence of these changes from the subcellular to the whole-body level of organization, and across a wide range of body systems, prompts the suggestion that at least a portion of the changes that are commonly attributed to aging is in reality caused by disuse and, as such, is subject to correction. There is no drug in current or prospective use that holds as much promise for sustained health as a lifetime program of physical exercise.

(JAMA 1982;248:1203-1208)

Author Affiliations
From the Department of Medicine, Palo Alto (Calif) Medical Clinic.

Footnotes
Reprint requests to Palo Alto Medical Clinic, 300 Homer Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301 (Dr Bortz).

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter     What's this?

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Understanding Frailty
Bortz
J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2009;0:glp162v1-glp162.
FULL TEXT  

Disuse and Aging, 2009
Bortz
J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2009;0:glp164v1-glp164.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

The Ankle-Brachial Index Is Not Related to Mortality in Elderly Subjects Living in Nursing Homes
Bo et al.
ANGIOLOGY 2005;56:693-697.
ABSTRACT  

Maximal Aerobic Capacity Testing of Older Adults: A Critical Review
Huggett et al.
Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences 2005;60:57-66.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

The Deleterious Effects of Bed Rest Among Community-Living Older Persons
Gill et al.
Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences 2004;59:M755-M761.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Can Physical Activity Attenuate Aging-related Weight Loss in Older People?: The Yale Health and Aging Study, 1982-1994
Dziura et al.
Am J Epidemiol 2004;159:759-767.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Prevalence of Sarcopenia and Predictors of Skeletal Muscle Mass in Healthy, Older Men and Women
Iannuzzi-Sucich et al.
Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences 2002;57:M772-777.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Guest Editorial Exercise as the Standard of Care for Elderly People
Evans
Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences 2002;57:M260-261.
FULL TEXT  

A Conceptual Framework of Frailty: A Review
Bortz
Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences 2002;57:M283-288.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Neighborhood Environment and Loss of Physical Function in Older Adults: Evidence from the Alameda County Study
Balfour and Kaplan
Am J Epidemiol 2002;155:507-515.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Nonage Versus Age
Bortz
Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences 2001;56:M527-528.
FULL TEXT  

Growth hormone enhances effects of endurance training on oxidative muscle metabolism in elderly women
Lange et al.
Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab. 2000;279:E989-E996.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Experiences of Older Women With Cancer Receiving Hospice Care: Significance for Physical Therapy
Mackey and Sparling
ptjournal 2000;80:459-468.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Balance control, flexibility, and cardiorespiratory fitness among older Tai Chi practitioners
Hong et al.
Br. J. Sports. Med. 2000;34:29-34.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Adrenergic and Muscarinic Receptors in the Human Heart
Brodde and Michel
Pharmacol. Rev. 1999;51:651-690.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

A Study of the Impact of Influenza on the Functional Status of Frail Older People
Barker et al.
Arch Intern Med 1998;158:645-650.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Raised Leg Exercises for Leg Edema in the Elderly
Ciocon et al.
ANGIOLOGY 1995;46:19-25.
ABSTRACT  

Physical Activity and Risk of Severe Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage in Older Persons
Pahor et al.
JAMA 1994;272:595-599.
ABSTRACT  

Exercise Training and Nutritional Supplementation for Physical Frailty in Very Elderly People
Fiatarone et al.
NEJM 1994;330:1769-1775.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Nutritional and Non-Nutritional Factors for 'Healthy' Longevity
Walker and Walker
The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health 1993;113:75-80.
ABSTRACT  

Immobility in the Aged
Rousseau
Arch Fam Med 1993;2:169-177.
ABSTRACT  

Weight-Bearing Exercise, Overexercise, and Lumbar Bone Density Over Age 50 Years
Michel et al.
Arch Intern Med 1989;149:2325-2329.
ABSTRACT  

Walking for Health and Fitness
Rippe et al.
JAMA 1988;259:2720-2724.
ABSTRACT  

Role of Cardiovascular Fitness in Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Study
Schapiro et al.
Neurorehabil Neural Repair 1988;2:43-49.
ABSTRACT  

Exercise Programs for the Elderly
Council on Scientific Affairs
JAMA 1984;252:544-546.
ABSTRACT