Low-volume resistance training: a feasible, cost-effective strategy for musculoskeletal frailty in older adults attending daycare centers.
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.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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.