Functional mobility and physical fitness are improved through a multicomponent training program in institutionalized older adults.

Physical exercise has demonstrated its effectiveness in the management of the deleterious process of aging. However, it is less studied in institutionalized elderly people. This investigation aims to clarify the benefits of a multicomponent training program in institutionalized older adults. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with institutionalized older adults (≥ 70 years old). Intervention group (IG; N = 18) were submitted to a multicomponent training program based on muscle power training and interval endurance exercise, 2 times/week for 12 weeks. Control group (CG; N = 16) continued their usual mobility exercises. Independence was estimated with the Barthel index, and physical fitness and functional mobility were evaluated by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, the 6-min Walking Test (6'WT), the 10-Meter Walking Test (10MWT), hand grip strength dynamometry, and lower limb muscle strength and power. The IG improved, compared with the CG, in TUG scores in -7.43 s (95% IC: 3.28, 11.59; p < 0.001); in 10MWT scores in -5.19 s (95% IC: 1.41, 8.97; p = 0.004) and -4.43 s (95% IC: 1.14, 7.73; p = 0.002), 6'WT scores in + 54.54 m (95% IC: 30.24, 78.84; p < 0.001); and SPPB in + 2.74 points (95% IC: 2.10, 3.37; p < 0.001). Maximum muscle power and maximum strength did not show statistically significant differences. The multicomponent training program based on muscle power and interval endurance exercise was shown to be safe, well tolerated and effective for the improvement of functional mobility and physical fitness, but not for independence in institutionalized older adults.

Quantitative Ultrasound Changes in Echotexture and Functional Parameters after a Multicomponent Training Program in Pre-Frailty Individuals: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objective: Currently, ultrasound imaging (USI) is considered a feasible tool in the evaluation of structural and textural muscle differences due to aging. The main aim of this study was to evaluate sonographic changes in muscular structure and function after a 12-week multicomponent training program in pre-frailty individuals. Design: A prospective, randomized, clinical trial was carried out. Participants: Thirty-two pre-frailty subjects were recruited and randomly divided into a multicomponent training program group (n = 16; Multicomponent group) and a conventional care group (n = 14; Control group) with a 12-week follow up. Main outcome measures: Rectus femoris thickness, cross-sectional area (CSA), echointensity, echovariation and vastus lateralis pennation angle tests were carried out to assess the structure and echotexture, and the force-velocity (F-V) profile for muscle power and muscle strength was employed to assess the functional parameters. Results: Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were shown for the left rectus femoris echointensity and in the functional parameter of muscle power after a 12-week program for the multicomponent training group compared to the conventional care group. Conclusions: Pre-frailty elderly subjects showed a decrease in rectus femoris echointensity (RF-EI) and an increase in the functional parameter of muscle power after a 12-week multicomponent training program compared to the control group.