Effect of a short multicomponent exercise intervention focused on muscle power in frail and pre frail elderly: A pilot trial

Abstract

Objectives: The aim was to establish whether a short supervised facility-based exercise program improved frailty, physical function and performance in comparison with usual care treatment.

Methods: This was a quasi-experimental, non-randomized controlled intervention study in frail (2.75 ± 1.25 Frailty Phenotype criteria) older adults (range:77.2-95.8 years). The exercise (EX) group (n = 11) performed concurrent training (power training + high-intensity interval training, HIIT) twice weekly for 6 weeks while the control (CT) group (n = 9) followed usual care.

Results: The exercise intervention improved frailty status in 64% of the subjects improving Frailty Phenotype by 1.6 points (95%CI 0.8-2.5, p < 0.05), and increasing SPPB score by 3.2 points (95%CI: 2.4-4.0, Cohen's d = 2.0, p < 0.05), muscle power by 47% (95%CI: 7-87%, Cohen's d = 0.5, p < 0.05), muscle strength by 34%(95%CI: 7-60, Cohen's d = 0.6, p < 0.05) and the aerobic capacity by 19% (6 minute walking test +45 m, 95%CI: 7-83, Cohen's d = 0.7, p = 0.054). The CT did not experience any significant changes in frailty status, physical function or performance.

Conclusions: A short concurrent exercise program of muscle power and walking-based HIIT training is a feasible and safe method to increase physical performance and improve function and frailty in elder (pre)frail patients.

Keywords: Aging; Exercise; Force-velocity profile; Frailty; Muscle power; Public health.