Effects of a multicomponent training and detraining on frailty status, physical activity level, sedentary behavior patterns and physical performance of pre-frail older adults: a randomized controlled trial

• Published in: European geriatric medicine 2024-09, Vol.15 (6), p.1701-1712
• Main Authors: Carnavale, Bianca Ferdin, da Silva Santos, Vinícius Ramon, Farche, Ana Claudia Silva, Rossi, Paulo Giusti, Fiogbé, Elie, de Souza Buto, Marcele Stephanie, de Vassimon-Barroso, Verena, de Medeiros Takahashi, Anielle Cristhine
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accelerometry; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Exercise; Exercise Therapy - methods; Female; Frail Elderly; Frailty; Geriatric Assessment; Geriatrics/Gerontology; Humans; Internal Medicine; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Physical Functional Performance; Research Paper; Sedentary Behavior
• ISSN: 1878-7649; 1878-7657; 1878-7657
• DOI: 10.1007/s41999-024-01052-4

Key summary points Aim This study aims to evaluate the effects of a multicomponent training protocol and detraining on frailty status, physical activity level, sedentary behavior patterns, and physical performance in pre-frail older adults. Findings Pre-frail older adults who participated in a 16-week multicomponent exercise program significantly reversed their frailty status and improved their gait speed, with these improvements being maintained after 6 weeks of follow-up. No significant changes were found in physical activity level, sedentary behavior patterns, and other physical performance variables. Message Multicomponent exercise is a significant strategy for reversing frailty status and improving gait speed in pre-frail older adults. Purpose To evaluate the effects of a multicomponent training protocol and detraining on frailty status, physical activity level, sedentary behavior patterns, and physical performance in pre-frail older adults. Methods A randomized controlled blinded trial was conducted with pre-frail older adults (74.8 ± 6.4 years, 70.4% female), who were allocated to receive a multicomponent training (MulTI = 16) or control group (CG = 11), which received guidance to maintain their daily living habits. Assessments of the frailty phenotype, physical activity levels measured by accelerometer, and physical performance (gait speed, timed up and go, short physical performance battery) were conducted at pre-intervention, post-intervention (16 weeks), and follow-up (6 weeks). The effect of the intervention was analyzed using the marginal homogeneity test and the two-way ANOVA with repeated measures. Results All older adults who received the MulTI reversed their frailty status to non-frail ( p   0.05), maintaining this status after the follow-up period. Furthermore, only the older adults in the MulTI showed an improvement in gait speed post-intervention, which was maintained through follow-up ( p  = 0.008). No changes were observed in the other variables. Conclusion The MulTI was efficient to reverse the process of frailty and improving gait speed in pre-frail older adults. However, receiving only the MulTI was not sufficient to increase physical activity levels and reduce sedentary behavior patterns, necessitating the implementation of behavioral change strategies. Trial registration Cli