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Low-volume resistance training: a feasible, cost-effective strategy for musculoskeletal frailty in older adults attending daycare centers.

Frontiers in sports and active living
May 5, 2025
Frederico Abreu et al. (3 authors)
Journal ArticleHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the impact of a low-volume, remotely supervised resistance training protocol on physical frailty, sarcopenia prevalence, and fall risk among frail older adults in daycare centers.

Results Summary

The study found that low-volume resistance training preserved handgrip strength and sit-to-stand performance, improved relative muscle power, and reduced exhaustion, physical inactivity, sarcopenia prevalence, and fall frequency, though frailty prevalence showed only a decreasing trend.

Population

Frail older adults attending daycare centers.

Effective Dosage

10-minute sessions, three times weekly.

Duration

12 weeks.

Interactions

None mentioned.

Extracted Claims (12)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
low-volume, remotely supervised resistance training protocol
no change
handgrip strength
frail older adults attending daycare centers
-
preserved
#1
low-volume, remotely supervised resistance training protocol
no change
sit-to-stand time
frail older adults attending daycare centers
-
preserved
#2
low-volume, remotely supervised resistance training protocol
increase
relative muscle power
frail older adults attending daycare centers
4.3-5.2 W/Kg
improved
#3
low-volume, remotely supervised resistance training protocol
no change
body composition
frail older adults attending daycare centers
-
remained stable
#4
low-volume, remotely supervised resistance training protocol
no change
physical function
frail older adults attending daycare centers
-
remained stable
#5
low-volume, remotely supervised resistance training protocol
no change
gait speed
frail older adults attending daycare centers
-
remained stable
#6
low-volume, remotely supervised resistance training protocol
no change
Short Performance Physical Battery scores
frail older adults attending daycare centers
-
remained stable
#7
low-volume, remotely supervised resistance training protocol
decrease
exhaustion prevalence
frail older adults attending daycare centers
-
reductions were observed
#8
low-volume, remotely supervised resistance training protocol
decrease
physical inactivity prevalence
frail older adults attending daycare centers
-
reductions were observed
#9
low-volume, remotely supervised resistance training protocol
decrease
frailty prevalence
frail older adults attending daycare centers
48%-26%
showed a decreasing trend
#10
low-volume, remotely supervised resistance training protocol
decrease
sarcopenia prevalence
frail older adults attending daycare centers
29%-10%
significant reductions
#11
low-volume, remotely supervised resistance training protocol
decrease
fall frequency
frail older adults attending daycare centers
-
significant reductions
#12
Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Frailty is a prevalent geriatric syndrome, posing significant health risks for older adults attending daycare centers or residing in institutional settings. Addressing frailty with interventions that are feasible and cost effective and also promote high adherence within these environments is crucial. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a low-volume, remotely supervised resistance training protocol on physical frailty among frail older adults attending daycare centers. Secondary outcomes included changes in sarcopenia prevalence and fall risk. METHODS: Thirty-one frail older adults participated in a 12-week usual care period, followed by a 12-weeks intervention featuring low-volume (10-minute sessions) resistance training three times weekly. The program was delivered locally by non-specialized staff under remote supervision. Musculoskeletal, functional, and clinical assessments were conducted at three-time points: baseline, pre-intervention, and post-intervention. RESULTS: During the usual care period, a decline was observed in handgrip strength (19.2-18.5 kg) and sit-to-stand time (14.5-17.4s) (p < 0.05). However, these measures were preserved during the intervention. Relative muscle power decreased during the usual care but improved with training (4.3-5.2 W/Kg, p < 0.001). While body composition, physical function, gait speed, and Short Performance Physical Battery scores remained stable, reductions were observed in exhaustion and physical inactivity prevalence (p < 0.05). Frailty prevalence showed a decreasing trend (48%-26%, p = 0.099), with significant reductions in sarcopenia prevalence (29%-10%, p = 0.045), and fall frequency (p = 0.022). CONCLUSION: The low-volume strength training protocol was a feasible, cost-effective strategy for mitigating musculoskeletal frailty criteria, sarcopenia and fall risk among older adults in daycare centers, potentially delaying the progression of these conditions.

Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety90
Efficacy85/10
Quality75/10
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score1.25
Normalized Score0.85
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