Effects of Combined Exercise on Frailty index, Carotid Artery Beta-Stiffness, and Distensibility in Pre-frail Older Adults Women

Abstract

PURPOSE: We studied the effects of combined exercise (CE) on frailty index, physical function, carotid artery (CA) distensibility, and beta-stiffness in pre-frailty older women.METHODS: A total of 27 pre-frailty older women (aged 70.6±4.0 years), who were divided into a control group (n=13) and a supervised CE group (n=14). The 12-week CE program (resistance and aerobic exercise) consisted of sessions 50 minutes in length 3 days per week under the supervision of an exercise specialist. Frailty index, blood pressure, physical function, and CA function were assessed.RESULTS: Frailty status showed a significantly (p=.001) group×time interaction. Also, physical activity (p=.019), walking speed (p=.049), and right grip strength (p=.040) showed a significantly group×time interaction. In the CE group, physical activity, walking speed, and right grip strength were significantly (p=.001, p<.001, p<.001) increased, and frailty state was significantly (p<.001) decreased 12-week. Left CA distensibility (p=.032), and beta-stiffness (p=.033) showed a significantly group×time interaction. In the CE group, CA distensibility was significantly (p<.05) increased, and CA beta-stiffness was significantly (p<.01) decreased after 12-week.CONCLUSIONS: In pre-frail older adult women, CE effectively improves frailty index, CA stiffness, and distensibility.