THE EFFECT OF EXERCISE PROGRAMS ON THE FUNCTIONALITY OF PRE-FRAGILE AND FRAGILE OLDER ADULTS

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.66104/16j1sb22

Keywords:

Aging; Physical Exercise; Functionality; Older Adults.

Abstract

Population aging is associated with an increased prevalence of conditions such as pre-frailty and frailty, which directly impact the functional status of older adults. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of physical exercise programs on the functional status of pre-frail and frail older adults. This is an integrative literature review conducted in the PEDro, PubMed/Medline, and BVS databases, including studies published between 2015 and 2025. After applying the eligibility criteria, four clinical trials were included in the analysis. The results showed that physical exercise programs promote significant improvements in physical performance, muscle strength, balance, and walking speed. Additionally, a reduction in the risk of falls and improvements in functional aspects were observed. Thus, physical exercise proves to be an effective strategy for improving and maintaining functionality, as well as for delaying the progression of pre-frailty and frailty in older adults.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

AMARO, Ana Rita Pedro et al. O efeito de um protocolo de exercício em idosos frágeis e pré-frágeis. RIAGE - Revista Ibero-Americana de Gerontologia, [S. l.], v. 8, n. 8, p. 505–516, 2025. Doi: 10.61415/riage.410. DOI: https://doi.org/10.61415/riage.410

CARNAVALE, Bianca Ferdin et al. Effects of a multicomponent training and detraining on frailty status, physical activity level, sedentary behavior patterns and physical performance of pre-frail older adults: a randomized controlled trial. Eur Geriatr Med. 2024 Dec;15(6):1701-1712. Doi: 10.1007/s41999-024-01052-4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41999-024-01052-4

CASAS-HERRERO, Álvaro et al. Effects of Vivifrail multicomponent intervention on functional capacity: a multicentre, randomized controlled trial. Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle, v. 13, n. 2, p. 884-893, 2022. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/jcsm.12925. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jcsm.12925

DI LORITO, Claudio et al. Exercise interventions for older adults: a systematic review of meta-analyses. Journal of Sport and Health Science, v. 10, p. 29–47, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2020.06.003

GONÇALVES, Anderson; ALVES, Luciana Correia. Idade prospectiva e as novas medidas de envelhecimento populacional: indicadores para o Brasil e suas cinco regiões. Rev. bras. estud. popul., v.41, 1-24, e0278, 2024. Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.20947/S0102-3098a0278. DOI: https://doi.org/10.20947/S0102-3098a0278

HUBBARD, Ruth E et al. Impact of exercise in community-dwelling older adults. PLoS ONE, v. 4, n. 7, e6174, 2009. Doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0006174. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0006174

IBGE – INSTITUTO BRASILEIRO DE GEOGRAFIA E ESTATÍSTICA. Pirâmide etária: conheça o Brasil - população. Rio de Janeiro: IBGE, 2022. Disponível em: https://educa.ibge.gov.br/jovens/conheca-o-brasil/populacao/18318-piramide-etaria.html.

IZQUIERDO, Mikel et al. International exercise recommendations in older adults (ICFSR): expert consensus guidelines. Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging, v. 25, p. 824-853, 2021.

JUNIOR, Henrique Pott et al. Exploring frailty in Brazil: an analysis of the ELSI-Brazil survey. Cad. Saúde Pública. 41(3); 2025. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-311XEN041624. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-311xen041624

LAZARUS, Norman R et al. Exercise deficiency diseases of ageing: the primacy of exercise and muscle strengthening as first-line therapeutic agents to combat frailty. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, v. 19, n. 9, p. 741–743, set. 2018. Doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2018.04.014. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2018.04.014

LUZ, Luciana (Coord.). Estudo estratégico sobre as perspectivas demográficas para o Brasil no horizonte 2050. Brasília: Ministério do Planejamento e Orçamento, 2025. 228 p.

ORGANIZAÇÃO PAN-AMERICANA DA SAÚDE (OPAS). Década do Envelhecimento Saudável nas Américas (2021-2030). Disponível em: https://www.paho.org/pt/decada-do-envelhecimento-saudavel-nas-americas-2021-2030.

PILLATT, Ana Paula; NIELSSON, Jordana; SCHNEIDER, Rodolfo Herberto. Efeitos do exercício físico em idosos fragilizados: uma revisão sistemática. Fisioter. Pesqui. 26 (2); Apr-Jun 2019. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-2950/18004826022019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-2950/18004826022019

ROBERTSON, Deirdre A.; SAVVA, George M.; KENNY, Rose Anne. Frailty and cognitive impairment: a review of the evidence and causal mechanisms. Ageing Research Reviews, v. 12, n. 4, p. 840–851, set. 2013. Doi:10.1016/j.arr.2013.06.004. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2013.06.004

ROMERA-LIEBANA, Laura et al. Effects of a primary care-based multifactorial intervention on physical and cognitive function in frail, elderly individuals: a randomized controlled trial. The Journals of Gerontology: Series A – Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, v. 73, n. 12, p. 1668-1674, 2018. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glx259. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glx259

RUBENSTEIN, Laurence Z. Falls in older people: epidemiology, risk factors and strategies for prevention. Age and Ageing, v. 35, supl. 2, p. ii37–ii41, 2006. Doi: 10.1093/ageing/afl084. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afl084

SILVA, R.B et al. The Effect of Physical Exercise on Frail Older Persons: A Systematic Review. J Frailty Aging. 2017;6(2):91-96. Doi: 10.14283/jfa.2017.7.

SUIKKANEN, Sara et al. Effect of 12-month supervised, home-based physical exercise on functioning among persons with signs of frailty: a randomized controlled trial. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, v. 102, n. 7, p. 1309-1317, 2021. Doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2021.06.017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2021.06.017

TIECKER, A. P et al. Programa de exercícios multicomponentes domiciliar (VIVIFRAIL) para longevos durante a pandemia da COVID-19. Revista Brasileira de Geriatria e Gerontologia, v. 27, e230089, 2024. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-22562024027.230089. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-22562024027.230089.en

WILSON, Daisy et al. Frailty and sarcopenia: The potential role of an aged immune system. Ageing Res Rev. 2017 Jul;36:1-10. Doi: 10.1016/j.arr.2017.01.006. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2017.01.006

Published

2026-04-16

How to Cite

THE EFFECT OF EXERCISE PROGRAMS ON THE FUNCTIONALITY OF PRE-FRAGILE AND FRAGILE OLDER ADULTS. (2026). REMUNOM, 13(06), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.66104/16j1sb22