Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 16, 2026

Author Spotlight: Evaluating the Adjuvant Efficacy and Safety of Angong Niuhuang Pill in Viral Encephalitis Treatment

Author Spotlight: Evaluating the Adjuvant Efficacy and Safety of Angong Niuhuang Pill in Viral Encephalitis Treatment

Published on: April 19, 2024

Effect of Physical Activity on Frailty: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Andrea Trombetti¹, Mélany Hars², Fang-Chi Hsu³

¹Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland, and Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts (A.T.).

Annals of Internal Medicine

|January 9, 2018

Abstract

Background:

Limited evidence suggests that physical activity may prevent frailty and associated negative outcomes in older adults. Definitive data from large long-term randomized trials are lacking.

Objective:

To determine whether a long-term, structured, moderate-intensity physical activity program is associated with a lower risk for frailty and whether frailty status alters the effect of physical activity on the reduction in major mobility disability (MMD) risk.

Design:

Multicenter, single-blind, randomized trial.

Setting:

8 centers in the United States.

Participants:

1635 community-dwelling adults, aged 70 to 89 years, with functional limitations.

Intervention:

A structured, moderate-intensity physical activity program incorporating aerobic, resistance, and flexibility activities or a health education program consisting of workshops and stretching exercises.

Measurements:

Frailty, as defined by the SOF (Study of Osteoporotic Fractures) index, at baseline and 6, 12, and 24 months, and MMD, defined as the inability to walk 400 m, for up to 3.5 years.

Results:

Over 24 months of follow-up, the risk for frailty (n = 1623) was not statistically significantly different in the physical activity versus the health education group (adjusted prevalence difference, -0.021 [95% CI, -0.049 to 0.007]). Among the 3 criteria of the SOF index, the physical activity intervention was associated with improvement in the inability to rise from a chair (adjusted prevalence difference, -0.050 [CI, -0.081 to -0.020]). Baseline frailty status did not modify the effect of physical activity on reducing incident MMD (P for interaction = 0.91).

Limitation:

Frailty status was neither an entry criterion nor a randomization stratum.

Conclusion:

A structured, moderate-intensity physical activity program was not associated with a reduced risk for frailty over 2 years among sedentary, community-dwelling older adults. The beneficial effect of physical activity on the incidence of MMD did not differ between frail and nonfrail participants.

Primary Funding Source:

National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health.

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Advancements and Challenges in Surgical Treatments for Postamputation Pain

Author Spotlight: Advancements and Challenges in Surgical Treatments for Postamputation Pain

Published on: March 8, 2024

Author Spotlight: Methodologies and Advancements of Chronic Pain Management Research

Author Spotlight: Methodologies and Advancements of Chronic Pain Management Research

Published on: January 5, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Secondary Active Transport

Secondary Active Transport

One example of how cells use the energy contained in electrochemical gradients is demonstrated by glucose transport into cells. The ion vital to this process is sodium (Na+), which is typically present in higher concentrations extracellularly than in the cytosol. Such a concentration difference is due, in part, to the action of an enzyme “pump” embedded in the cellular membrane that actively expels Na+ from a cell. Importantly, as this pump contributes to the high concentration of...

Secondary Active Transport

Secondary Active Transport

One example of how cells use the energy contained in electrochemical gradients is demonstrated by glucose transport into cells. The ion vital to this process is sodium (Na+), which is typically present in higher concentrations extracellularly than in the cytosol. Such a concentration difference is due, in part, to the action of an enzyme "pump" embedded in the cellular membrane that actively expels Na+ from a cell. Importantly, as this pump contributes to the high concentration of...

Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Temperature

Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Temperature

Heat is a widely used method to control microbial growth by targeting and denaturing cellular proteins, thereby killing or inactivating microbes. This method's effectiveness is quantified using parameters such as the thermal death point (TDP), thermal death time (TDT), and decimal reduction time (D value). TDP represents the lowest temperature at which all microorganisms in a liquid suspension are eliminated within 10 minutes, whereas TDT is the time necessary to achieve sterilization at a...

Statistical Software for Data Analysis and Clinical Trials

Statistical Software for Data Analysis and Clinical Trials

Statistical software is pivotal in data analysis and clinical trials by providing tools to analyze data, draw conclusions, and make predictions. These software packages range from simple data management applications to complex analytical platforms, supporting various statistical tests, models, and simulation techniques. Their significance lies in their ability to handle vast amounts of data with precision and efficiency, enabling researchers to validate hypotheses, identify trends, and make...

Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Radiation and Filtration

Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Radiation and Filtration

Radiation and filtration are essential tools for microbial control, targeting microorganisms through distinct mechanisms. Radiation eliminates microbes by damaging their DNA, either killing them or inhibiting their growth. Based on wavelength, radiation is classified into two types: nonionizing and ionizing radiation.Non-ionizing radiation, such as UV radiation (200–400 nm), is absorbed by DNA, causing defects that effectively disinfect surfaces, air, and water, including safety cabinets.

Primary and Secondary Growth in Roots and Shoots

Primary and Secondary Growth in Roots and Shoots

Vascular plants, which account for over 90% of the Earth’s vegetation, all undergo primary growth—which lengthens roots and shoots. Many land plants, notably woody plants, also undergo secondary growth—which thickens roots and shoots.

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Adolescent-led Our Voice method to promote healthy and active lifestyles and environments in South Africa.

PLOS global public health·2026

Engaging Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities as "Citizen Scientists" to Transform Health Care Accessibility.

Intellectual and developmental disabilities·2026

Our voice, our choice: a mixed-methods study exploring the nutritious food and beverage item preferences and perspectives of medically tailored grocery clients.

Frontiers in public health·2026

Physical activity and sitting over 9 years of the Women's Health Initiative Strong & Healthy (WHISH) randomized physical activity intervention trial in older women.

The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences·2026

The promise of virtual and augmented reality for optimizing community engagement in driving health equity solutions.

BMC public health·2026

Design and rationale of the my heart counts cardiovascular health study: a large-scale, fully digital biobank, and randomized trial of large language model-driven coaching of physical activity.

American journal of preventive cardiology·2026

See all related articles