Aim: Frailty syndrome is related to decreased physiological complexity, functional capacity and cognition. Physical exercise has been suggested to slow down and reverse this syndrome. However, evidence of its effectiveness is not as straightforward as conventionally admitted, as there is a lack of trials with rigorous methodology. The purpose of this study was to describe the Pre-Frail Multicomponent Training Intervention protocol.
Methods: Cardiovascular, motor control and neuromuscular systems of pre-frail older adults will be assessed by measuring the complexity of the output of these systems. Functional capacity and cognition will be assessed by specific tools. A 16-week training protocol will be carried out on three alternate days, with 60-min sessions, and combining aerobic, muscle strength, flexibility and balance exercises. The objective of this intervention is to improve the cardiovascular, motor control and neuromuscular systems, as well as functional capacity and cognition of pre-frail older adults. The assessment of these systems will be carried out using gold standard devices.
Results: The results of the present study might allow clinical and functional support for the evaluation of the variables analyzed.
Conclusion: This protocol is easily reproducible and requires low-cost materials, thus the Pre-Frail Multicomponent Training Intervention could be a therapeutic strategy for pre-frail older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 684-689.
Keywords: aged; circuit-based exercise; entropy; frailty.
© 2019 Japan Geriatrics Society.