Author(s): BUENDÍA-ROMERO, Á.1,2,3, HERNÁNDEZ-VICENTE, A.4, ALCAZAR, J.1,2,3, PUEYO, E.5, ALEGRE, L.M.1,2,3, VICENTE-RODRÍGUEZ, G.4, ARA, I.1,2,3, GARATACHEA, N.4, Institution: FACULTY OF SPORT SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF CASTILLA-LA MANCHA, TOLEDO, SPAIN, Country: SPAIN, Abstract-ID: 2414

INTRODUCTION:
Although exercise interventions have shown benefits in the oldest-old population [1,2], their potential for improving frailty and muscle power, both predictors of healthy ageing, has not yet been explored in institutionalized centenarians. Hence, this study aimed to determine whether a resistance training intervention can improve frailty and muscle power in frail institutionalized centenarians.
METHODS:
Twelve frail centenarians living in nursing homes (age 101.36 ± 2.09 years; 83.33% women) were randomly assigned to either an exercise (EX; n = 6) or a control (CT; n = 6) group. The EX group conducted supervised resistance training twice weekly for 12 weeks, while the CT group received usual care. Each resistance training session included 8 exercises with 1-3 sets of 8-10 repetitions, conducting the concentric phase as fast as possible at 50-70% of the estimated one-repetition maximum. The Frailty Trait Scale short form (FTS5), Fried’s Frailty Phenotype (FP), and 30-s sit-to-stand (STS) muscle power test were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks. Baseline values for both groups were compared using the Mann-Whitney test. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with Bonferroni adjustment was used to determine within- and between-group differences in the effects of the intervention on the assessed outcomes. The significance level was set at p<0.05. The effect size (ES) was calculated using Hedge’s g, and the percentage of change (∆) was calculated as ((mean post–mean pre)/mean pre) × 100.
RESULTS:
No significant differences between groups were observed at baseline in FTS5, FP and relative and allometric STS muscle power (p>0.07). After intervention, the EX group significantly improved FTS5 (∆-9.8%; p<0.01; ES=0.59), FP (∆-21.7%; p<0.01; ES=1.11) and relative (∆+82.2%; p<0.01; ES=0.79) and allometric (∆+79.9%; p<0.01; ES=0.76) STS muscle power. The CT group exhibited no significant changes in any outcome after 12 weeks (p>0.11; ES=0.75 to 0.13). ANCOVA revealed significant differences between the changes in the EX and CT groups, respectively, for allometric (+14.51 vs. -3.87 W·m-2; p<0.01) and relative (+0.68 vs. -0.22 W·kg-1; p<0.01) STS muscle power, and FP (-0.83 vs. +0.33 points; p<0.01); while a no significant between-group difference was found for FTS5 (-3.33 vs. +0.33 points; p=0.15). No side effects were detected.
CONCLUSION:
Supervised resistance training effectively and safely reduced frailty and improved muscle power among frail institutionalized centenarians. These results underscore that no one is too old or unfit to benefit from exercise-based interventions.

References:
1. Serra-Rexach J.A, et al. (2011). Short-term, light- to moderate-intensity exercise training improves leg muscle strength in the oldest old: a randomized controlled trial. J Am Geriatr Soc, 59, 594-602.
2. Courel-Ibáñez J. et al. (2022). Impact of Tailored Multicomponent Exercise for Preventing Weakness and Falls on Nursing Home Residents Functional Capacity. J Am Med Dir Assoc, 23, 98-104.