[The role of physical activity in the transition from pre‑frailty to frailty.]

The aim of the study was to assess the role of physical activity in the transition from pre-frailty to frailty in older adults under hypomobility conditions. The study included 143 elderly patients aged 65-74 years. A comprehensive geriatric assessment was performed using specialized software at baseline, after 1 month, and after 6 months. A decrease in physical activity, both short-term and prolonged, was associated with deterioration of muscle function in patients with pre-frailty. Significant positive correlations were found between handgrip strength dynamics and changes in the maximal torque of lower limb muscles (r from +0,763 to +0,902; p<0,05), indicating a systemic decline in muscle function. Patients with an unfavorable course demonstrated progressive worsening in SARC-F scores and the six-minute walk test. The heterogeneity of pre-frailty progression was established, with two main variants identified: stable and progressive, the latter leading to frailty development. Reduced physical activity was the most significant factor associated with progression, contributing to dynapenia and sarcopenia. The findings confirm the key role of physical activity in preventing the progression of pre-frailty and support the need for targeted interventions aimed at maintaining mobility in older adults.