< Back to previous page

Project

The Effect of Exercise on Muscle Strength, Mobility and Balance in Prefrail Older Adults: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (R-12666)

Introduction: Frailty is one of the most problematic expressions of a rapidly ageing population. Prefrailty, the precursor of frailty, is characterised by one or two of the following symptoms: unintentional weight loss, weakness, exhaustion, slow walking speed and low physical activity. Despite the higher prevalence of prefrailty in comparison to frailty, so far, no systematic review has clearly identified the effects of exercise on physical function and frailty status exclusively in prefrail older adults. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of exercise on muscle strength, mobility and balance and the possibility to reverse or prevent frailty transition. Methods: Pubmed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library were searched for intervention studies, before April 2021, examining the effect of exercise on muscle strength, mobility and balance in prefrail older adults (>65 years old). Mean differences and odds ratios were calculated using a random effects model, with a significance level of p<0.05 (95% confidence interval). Results: Nineteen studies were retrieved after full-text screening (1289 prefrail participants). Meta-analysis showed significant improvements in grip strength, knee extensor strength, Timed Chair Stand Test, Timed Up and Go Test and preferred walking velocity after the exercise intervention in prefrail older adults. No significant changes were observed for muscle power and balance parameters. Prefrail older adults undergoing the intervention were 3.49 times more likely to become robust as compared to prefrail controls. Key conclusions: Exercise improves muscle strength and mobility in prefrail older adults and can prevent the transfer to frailty.
Date:11 Oct 2021 →  13 Oct 2021
Keywords:exercise, pre-frail, spierkracht
Disciplines:Geriatrics, Exercise physiology, Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation, Audiology