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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) trained twice weekly for 6 weeks (power training + high-intensity interval training, HIIT), while the control (CT) group (n = 9) followed usual care. Results: Frailty status improved in 64% of the subjects after the exercise intervention. Frailty Phenotype decreased by 1.6 points (95%CI 0.8–2.5, p < 0.05), as well as 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 min walking test +45 m, 95%CI: 7–83, Cohen's d = 0.7, p = 0.054). The CT did not experience any significant change in the 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.