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Aging Strong: Promoting Exercise and Nutrition to Combat Frailty in Older Adults

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Exercise and Health-Related Quality of Life".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 March 2025) | Viewed by 5840

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Dr. Ricardo Aurélio Carvalho Sampaio

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Guest Editor

Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão 49.100-000, Brazil
Interests: physical activity and health; epidemiology of aging; effects of physical training to older people
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As people age, they may experience several changes that can impact their health and quality of life, including physical and cognitive changes. Common physical changes include decreased muscle mass and strength (i.e., sarcopenia), consequently resulting in impaired mobility, balance problems, and falling. The aging process may also be aggravated by the presence or combination of chronic diseases, poor nutrition, and sedentary behavior, and, once they are related to frailty, a multidimensional state of increased vulnerability to adverse health outcomes.

It is understood that regular exercise and proper nutrition are effective to counteract sarcopenia and frailty in older adults, being related to both physical and cognitive aspects. However, there is still much to elucidate. Considering this, this Special Issue aims to disseminate studies focused on identifying the characteristics and/or magnitude of physical and cognitive aspects (or changes) in older people (e.g., by the analysis of body composition, physical function (and activities of daily living), strength, balance, sedentary behavior, noncommunicable diseases); as well as to identify exercise programs (i.e., types, frequency, and intensity) and nutritional programs that can promote health (e.g., prevent or slow the progression of frailty) in this population. Interventions, case-control, cross-sectional, longitudinal, systematic reviews, and meta-analysis studies are welcomed for submission.

Dr. Ricardo Aurélio Carvalho Sampaio
Guest Editor

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Keywords

body composition
frailty
physical health
cognitive health
noncommunicable diseases
physical function
muscle power
rehabilitation
sarcopenia
strength

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 9566 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Associations Between 10-Year Physical Performance and Activities of Daily Living Trajectories and Physical Behaviors in Older Adults

by Mikael Anne Greenwood-Hickman, Weiwei Zhu, Abisola Idu, Laura B. Harrington, Susan M. McCurry, Andrea Z. LaCroix, Pamela A. Shaw and Dori E. Rosenberg

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(5), 704; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22050704 (registering DOI) - 29 Apr 2025

Abstract

Physical function is likely bidirectionally associated with physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), and sleep. We examined trajectories of physical function as predictors of these behaviors in community-dwelling adults aged ≥65 y without dementia from the Adult Changes in Thought cohort. Exposures were trajectories of physical performance (short Performance-Based Physical Function [sPPF]) and self-reported activities of daily living (ADL) impairment. Outcomes were device-measured PA and SB and self-reported sleep. We fit linear mixed-effects models to define trajectory slopes and intercepts for each functional measure over the prior 10 years. We used multivariable linear regression to investigate the relationship between trajectory features and outcomes, using bootstrap confidence intervals. Participants (N = 905) were 77.6 (SD = 6.9) years old, 55% female, 91% white, and had a median sPPF score of 9 (IQR = [8, 11]) and median impairment of 1 ADL (IQR = [0, 2]) at the time of activity measurement (baseline). Steeper decreases in sPPF (0.3-unit, 25% of the range) were associated with fewer steps (−1180, 95% CI = [−2853, −185]) and less moderate-to-vigorous PA (−15.7 min/day [−35.6, −2.3]). Steeper increases in ADL impairment were associated with 35.0 min/day (4.3, 65.0) additional sitting time, longer mean sitting bout duration (3.5 min/bout [0.8, 6.2]), fewer steps (−1372 [−2223, −638]), less moderate-to-vigorous PA (−13 min/day [−22.6, −5.0]), and more time-in-bed (25.5 min/day [6.5, 43.5]). No associations were observed with light PA or sleep quality. Worsening physical function is associated with lower PA and higher SB, but not with light-intensity movement or sleep quality, supporting the bidirectional nature of the relationship between physical function and physical behaviors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aging Strong: Promoting Exercise and Nutrition to Combat Frailty in Older Adults)

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14 pages, 621 KiB

Open AccessArticle

“One Size Doesn’t Fit All”: Design Considerations for an Exercise Program to Improve Physical Function in Older Veterans with Serious Mental Illness

by Julia Browne, Whitney L. Mills, Courtney T. Lopez, Noah S. Philip, Katherine S. Hall, Alexander S. Young, Kate M. Guthrie and Wen-Chih Wu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(2), 191; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22020191 - 29 Jan 2025

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Abstract

Older adults with serious mental illness (SMI) (i.e., schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder) have compromised physical function that adversely affects their quality of life. Exercise is an effective intervention to improve function in older persons; however, older people with SMI experience barriers to exercise engagement. This study sought to obtain feedback on an exercise program in development for older people with SMI that comprised home-based exercise delivery, individualized exercise prescription, and motivational health coaching calls. Individual interviews and focus groups were conducted with older Veterans with SMI (n = 3) and clinical staff serving this population (directors: n = 3; clinicians: n = 15, k = 3) to elicit feedback on the perceived feasibility and acceptability of the preliminary program and recommendations for modifications to the program. Rapid analysis was used to summarize transcripts of audio-recorded interviews and focus groups. Results indicated a strong perceived feasibility and acceptability of the preliminary intervention because of how the individualized exercise prescription component (i.e., exercise plan) would be personalized to the Veteran’s preferences and abilities. Clinical staff participants expressed concerns about how the lack of real-time supervision would negatively affect exercise completion. Participants recommended tailoring the home-based exercise delivery and motivational health coaching calls components to each Veteran’s unique context. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aging Strong: Promoting Exercise and Nutrition to Combat Frailty in Older Adults)

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12 pages, 1239 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Analysis of Physical Fitness in Aquatic and Terrestrial Environments Among Elderly Women

by Frano Giakoni-Ramírez, Josivaldo de Souza-Lima, Catalina Muñoz-Strale, Nicolás Hasche-Zunino, Constanza Sepúlveda-Barría and Andrés Godoy-Cumillaf

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(1), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22010033 - 30 Dec 2024

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Abstract

(1) Background: Aging is associated with a progressive decline in physical capacity, which is further exacerbated by conditions such as arthritis and chronic joint pain. This study aimed to compare the effects of aquatic and land-based exercise on the functional fitness of older adult women. (2) Methods: Sixty older women (mean age 66.9 ± 3.8 years) participated in this study, divided into two groups: aquatic exercise and land-based exercise. Both groups completed functional fitness tests, including flexibility (Back Scratch and Chair Sit-and-Reach Tests), lower body strength (Chair Stand Test), and dynamic balance (8-Foot Up-and-Go Test). Statistical analyses compared group performance. (3) Results: Improvements in flexibility were observed in the aquatic group, with trends toward significance for the Back Scratch Test (−0.2 ± 1.0 cm vs. −2.0 ± 0.0 cm, p = 0.08) and the Chair Sit-and-Reach Test (2.87 ± 2.0 cm vs. 0.27 ± 1.0 cm, p = 0.07). No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups in measures of lower body strength (Chair Stand Test: 19.1 ± 4.47 reps vs. 18.97 ± 3.77 reps, p = 0.9) or dynamic balance (8-Foot Up-and-Go Test: 6.28 ± 6.2 s vs. 6.03 ± 5.83 s, p = 0.07). (4) Conclusions: Aquatic exercise showed greater improvements in flexibility, particularly in the upper and lower body, although these differences did not reach statistical significance. Both training modalities were equally effective in maintaining lower body strength and dynamic balance in older adult women. These findings support the inclusion of tailored exercise programs in aging populations to address specific functional needs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aging Strong: Promoting Exercise and Nutrition to Combat Frailty in Older Adults)

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13 pages, 1442 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of Functional Training on the Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Physical Fitness of Resistant Hypertensive Elderly People: A Randomized Clinical Rehearsal with Preliminary Results

by Jenifer Kelly Pinheiro, Marcos Antonio Araújo Bezerra, Bárbara Raquel Souza Santos, Antônio Gomes de Resende-Neto and Rogério Brandão Wichi

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(8), 1015; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21081015 - 1 Aug 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1658

Abstract

Objective: This study evaluated the impact of functional training (FT) on the ambulatory blood pressure and physical fitness of resistant hypertensive older adults. Method: This randomized clinical and controlled rehearsal involved 15 participants from Juazeiro do Norte-CE divided into two groups: a control group (CG), n = 7, without physical training, and an experimental group (EG), n = 8, subjected to 24 sessions of FT. The comparative analysis included ambulatory blood pressure (24 h mapping) and physical fitness (Senior Fitness Test), using an ANOVA of two factors, an alpha of 0.05, and a post hoc by Bonferroni where necessary. The dimension of the intervention effect was verified using Eta Squared. Results: The results show that FT promoted a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (SAP) during the day and at night, as well as improving physical fitness, including the force/resistance of the lower and upper limbs, physical mobility, and aerobic resistance. The flexibility of the upper and lower limbs was not affected. Conclusion: It is concluded that FT is effective in reducing SAP and improving physical fitness in resistant older adults. However, this type of training may positively influence general physical fitness of older adults with resistant hypertension. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aging Strong: Promoting Exercise and Nutrition to Combat Frailty in Older Adults)

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13 pages, 389 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Differential Factors Are Associated with Physical Activity in Older Adults in Brazil with and without Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the 2019 National Health Survey

by Zainovan Serrão Pereira, Amanda Santos da Silva, João Carlos do Nascimento Melo, Jullyane Caldas dos Santos, Priscila Yukari Sewo Sampaio, Roberto Jerônimo dos Santos Silva, Raphael Henrique de Oliveira Araújo and Ricardo Aurélio Carvalho Sampaio

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(14), 6329; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20146329 - 9 Jul 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1650

Abstract

This study analyzed whether sociodemographic factors, health perception, dietary habits, and screen time are related to physical activity (PA) in older people with and without non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs). This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the 2019 Brazilian National Health Survey; the sample was older adults (≥60 years old; n = 22,726). The outcome of this study was being physically active or inactive during leisure time, and NCD was used as a moderating variable. The correlates investigated were sociodemographic and health-related variables. According to the logistic regression analysis, it was observed that being male had an association only in the group with NCDs (OR = 1.25 (1.05–1.48)), as well as residing in the northeastern region (OR = 1.26 (1.04–1.53)). On the other hand, high levels of education (OR = 4.09 (2.92–5.2); OR = 1.92 (1.48–2.49)) and income (OR = 1.64 (1.09–2.48); OR = 1.86 (1.33–2.60)) were associated with PA in both groups, as well as dietary habits (OR = 1.03 (1.01–1.05); (OR = 1.05 (1.04–1.07)). Advanced age (OR = 0.96 (0.94–0.97); OR = 0.97 (0.96–0.98)) and reporting a regular health perception (OR = 0.53 (0.43–0.66); OR = 0.61 (0.52–0.73)) were factors associated with physical inactivity in both groups. Gender, education, and income were unequally associated with an active lifestyle in both groups, and therefore, barriers to PA may arise. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aging Strong: Promoting Exercise and Nutrition to Combat Frailty in Older Adults)

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