Multicomponent Exercise Program Reduces Frailty and Inflammatory Biomarkers and Improves Physical Performance in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

The efficacy of exercise to reverse frailty in the aging population has not been extensively investigated. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a multicomponent exercise program (MCEP) on frailty, physical performance (handgrip strength, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go test (TUG), and VO2Max), blood biomarkers (Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP)) in frail older adults. A randomized controlled trial using an allocation concealment method, included 64 older adults (77.78 ± 7.24 years), were divided into two parallel groups using block randomization: an MCEP group (n = 32) and a control group (n = 32). The combined center- and home-based MCEP training consisted of chair aerobic, resistance, and balance, which was carried out 3 days per week for 24 weeks. A mixed model repeated measure ANOVA demonstrated significant interaction effects of group x time for BBS, TUG and frailty scores (p < 0.001). Additionally, the post-hoc analysis revealed that the MCEP group showed significantly improved BBS, TUG, and frailty scores (p < 0.01), at both 12- and 24-weeks. When compared with controls at 12-weeks, the MCEP group decreased IL-6 and CRP levels (p < 0.05). The combined center- and home-based MCEP were effective in reversing frailty to pre-frailty and improving physical performance especially balance in the older population.

Effect of Nursing Interventions on the Physical Performance Self-Efficacy among Community Dwelling Older Adults in the Pre-Frail Stage

“…This study finding is in the same line with that of the study conducted by Sadjapong et al, 2020 [34], who revealed that the multicomponent exercise program delays frailty in community dwelling elders. Furthermore, this study result is congruent with that of the study performed by Yu et al, 2020 [35], who revealed that the physical exercise is more beneficial to frail and pre-frail elders when compared with other types of interventions.…”

“…This tool was established by the researcher grounded on pertinent literature to assess the older adults' own beliefs in his/her capabilities to successfully execute exercises. The total score was categorized as follow; a score of (15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24) indicating low selfefficacy, whereas the score of (25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34) indicating the moderate self-efficacy, and the score of (35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45) indicating high self-efficacy. The tool was tested for its validity and reliability and the results indicated that it is valid and reliable (r=0.762).…”

Exercise, Aging and Frailty: Guidelines for Increasing Function

“…General physical exercise guidelines often focus on prevention of pathologies. Population level preventive efforts ideally before the onset of functional decline have been tried out and tested in many countries (12)(13)(14)(15)(16). Unfortunately, a limited amount of physical exercise strategies are planned to minimize exercise-related impact on function and/or ability to perform ADLs or in other domains of intrinsic capacity on older population, probably related to the scarcity of research in the area (4).…”

The Effects of Lifestyle and Diet on Gut Microbiota Composition, Inflammation and Muscle Performance in Our Aging Society

“…Low levels of physical exercise together with an unhealthy diet are major risk factors for sarcopenia, which together with other biological factors (e.g., hormones, inflammation and insulin resistance) and psychosocial factors (e.g., depression, social isolation, and loneliness) contribute to the decline in skeletal muscle performance with advancing age [155]. A wealth of evidence highlights the positive benefits of physical exercise in enhancing muscle function and/or preventing mobility and physical limitations [156][157][158]. The Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) study showed that walking and low-intensity resistance training reduced the risk of major mobility disability in mobility-limited older adults over the course of two years in a dose-dependent manner when compared with a health education program with the greatest benefit by adding at least 48 min of physical activity to their weekly routine [159].…”