Abstract

BUENDIA-ROMERO, Á; GARCIA-CONESA, S; PALLARES, JG  and  COUREL-IBANEZ, J. Effects of a 4-week multicomponent exercise program (Vivifrail) on physical frailty and functional disability in older adults living in nursing homes. CPD [online]. 2020, vol.20, n.3, pp.74-81.  Epub Nov 09, 2020. ISSN 1989-5879.

This study determined the effects of a 4-week individualized multicomponent exercise program (Vivifrail) on physical frailty and functional disability in older adults living in nursing homes. Fourteen institutionalized older adults (aged 81.7 ± 9.7 years) volunteered to completed 4 weeks of the individualized Vivifrail exercise program (5 days a week) according to their initial level: A, disability; B, frailty; C, pre-frailty and D, robust. Training sessions were directed by strength and conditioning trainers. Eleven participants completed the pre and post evaluations with very high levels of attendance (96% of the training sessions). Functional capacity (SPPB scores) significantly improved in all the participants (+48.2%, p < 0.001) and tests: sit-to-stand (24.1% faster, p = 0.003), gait speed 4 m (9.8% faster, p = 0.033) and 6 m (7.2% faster, p = 0.017) and Up and Go (11.2% faster, p = 0.004). Disability and sarcopenia decreased significantly (SARC-F, p = 0.026; Lawton index, p = 0.013). People with initial levels of disability (A), frailty (B) and pre-fragility (C) shown the greatest improvements. Six of the nine participants who started with physical frailty or pre-frailty status (66.7%) reversed this condition after the intervention. In addition, 33% of participants with disability, who were unable to perform the functional tests (sit-stand and walk), became able to complete them after the intervention. These important benefits found in such a shorter period of time (4 weeks) could be related to three key elements: individualization of the program, daily frequency and face-to-face coaching motivation by physical conditioning professionals.

Keywords : Elderly; falls; long-term care facilities; primary care.

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