Effect of Ankle Weights as a Frailty Prevention Strategy in the Community-Dwelling Elderly: A Preliminary Report

Abstract

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many healthy older adults have been less willing to engage in group exercise for fear of contracting this illness. Therefore, there is a need for an effective home-based exercise program to prevent frailty in the elderly. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of ankle weights as a frailty prevention device for older adults. The study participants were aged 50–90 years and were screened for falls using the Motor Fitness Scale. Participants were divided into two age groups (≤70 and >70 years) for analysis. Older community-dwelling adults were invited to use ankle weights for 3 months. Seventy-five people responded to the invitation. Physical and cognitive status and performance (body composition, grip strength, standing on one leg with eyes open, the 30 s chair stand test (CS-30), Timed Up and Go test, walking speed, body sway, Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment) were assessed before and after 3 months of intervention. CS-30 performance improved during the study. CS-30 reflects lower limb/trunk muscle strength and can be used to indicate the risk of falls. Wearing ankle weights can be recommended for strengthening the muscles of the lower limb and trunk in the elderly.

Physical activity plays a crucial role in multidomain intervention for frailty prevention

“…Multicomponent training interventions that lasted three months and were performed three times per week for one hour per session or lasted longer duration (≥ 5 months) and were performed three times per week for 30-45 min per session had a positive impact on frail older adults [50]. Previous studies revealed the home-based frailty prevention program is feasible and help prevent frailty [51][52][53]. The exercise training in the present study, including resistance training, balance training, and stretching exercises, which is safe, easy to learn, without taking up space, and suitable for doing at home.…”

Effects of Diamond Steps Exercises on Balance Improvement in Healthy Young and Older Adults: A Protocol Proposal

“…To evaluate the muscle strength of the lower limbs, we employed the 30 s chair stand test (CS-30), which does not require a measuring device and is commonly used in clinical practice. The CS-30 measures the number of times a person can stand up in 30 s from a chair approximately 40 cm in height [ 23 ]. If the 30 s ended while the participant was in the process of standing up, this was counted as one time if the torso and knees were already extended.…”