RESUMEN
PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of a multicomponent training protocol and detraining on frailty status, physical activity level, sedentary behavior patterns, and physical performance in pre-frail older adults. METHODS: A randomized controlled blinded trial was conducted with pre-frail older adults (74.8 ± 6.4 years, 70.4% female), who were allocated to receive a multicomponent training (MulTI = 16) or control group (CG = 11), which received guidance to maintain their daily living habits. Assessments of the frailty phenotype, physical activity levels measured by accelerometer, and physical performance (gait speed, timed up and go, short physical performance battery) were conducted at pre-intervention, post-intervention (16 weeks), and follow-up (6 weeks). The effect of the intervention was analyzed using the marginal homogeneity test and the two-way ANOVA with repeated measures. RESULTS: All older adults who received the MulTI reversed their frailty status to non-frail (p < 0.001), and after follow-up, 87.5% remained non-frail. In the CG, one older adult reversed their frailty status to non-frail and another became frail (p > 0.05), maintaining this status after the follow-up period. Furthermore, only the older adults in the MulTI showed an improvement in gait speed post-intervention, which was maintained through follow-up (p = 0.008). No changes were observed in the other variables. CONCLUSION: The MulTI was efficient to reverse the process of frailty and improving gait speed in pre-frail older adults. However, receiving only the MulTI was not sufficient to increase physical activity levels and reduce sedentary behavior patterns, necessitating the implementation of behavioral change strategies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03110419.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Considering the confinement recommended by the World Health Organization due to the pandemic caused by COVID-19, many community physical exercise programmes for older adults have had their activities cancelled. In this context, proposing strategies to recover the possible adverse effects of the confinement period is pertinent. The use of self-management strategies associated with regular physical activity reduces sedentary behaviour and improves physical capacity in older adults. Thus, the purpose of this study was to describe a multicomponent training programme combined with a self-management strategy protocol to mitigate the effects of interruptions in physical exercise programmes on functionality, physical capacity, mental health, body composition and quality of life in older adults. METHODS: This will be a blinded, randomized and controlled clinical trial performed in São Carlos, SP, Brazil. Eighty older adults will be divided into two groups: multicomponent training (Multi) and multicomponent training + self-management strategies (Multi+SM). The intervention will be performed over 16 weeks on three alternate days of every week, with 50-min sessions. The assessment of physical capacity will be performed before the interruption of physical exercise programmes (T0: initial assessment, March 2020), preintervention (T1: immediately after the return of the exercise programme) and postintervention (T2). The assessments of physical activity level, quality of life, mental health, functionality and body composition will be performed at T1 and T2. DISCUSSION: The results from this MC+SM protocol will allow us to contribute clinical support to evaluate the variables analysed and to guide future public health policies with the aim of minimizing the possible deleterious effects arising from the physical exercise interruption periods caused by epidemics and pandemics. TRIAL REGISTRATION: RBR-10zs97gk . Prospectively registered in Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC) on 17 June 2021. Registry name: Use of self-management strategies combined with multicomponent training to mitigate the effects of social distancing due to COVID-19 on capacity, physical capacity, mental health and quality of life in older adults - A blind, randomized and controlled clinical trial.