Author(s): LIANG, I.J., PERKIN, O.J., WILLIAMS, S., MCGUIGAN, P.M., THOMPSON, D., WESTERN, M.J., Institution: UNIVERSITY OF BATH, Country: UNITED KINGDOM, Abstract-ID: 189

INTRODUCTION:
Preventing frailty in older age is crucial for maintaining independence, preventing falls, sustaining a good quality of life, and reducing the strain on health and social care due to population ageing. Currently, only 20% of adults aged 65 years or more meet the recommended guidelines for muscle strength and balance, with common participation barriers such as low self-efficacy, limited attendance at leisure settings, time constraints, and fear of pain or injury. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a home-based strength and Tai-Chi "exercise snacking" intervention as an easily accessible and engaging exercise solution for older adults.
METHODS:
Following a qualitative study and a pilot trial examining 28-day versions of the exercise programme to establish feasibility and improve acceptability [1-2], a 12-week randomised controlled trial was conducted. The trial aimed to explore the efficacy of exercise snacking in improving physical function and psychological outcomes. Pre-frail older adults (n=90) were randomly assigned to either 12 weeks of progressive twice-daily 10-minute strength and Tai-chi exercises or a waitlist control group. Physical function and self-reported psychological outcomes were assessed at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Additionally, a subset of 26 intervention participants underwent semi-structured interviews to provide feedback on their experiences. Quantitative data were analysed using linear mixed models, while qualitative data were analysed using a deductive framework analysis.
RESULTS:
Intervention participants exhibited improvements in strength and balance, as measured by the Short Physical Performance Battery, with estimated mean differences of 1.73 [95% CI 1.31/2.16; p<0.0001] at week 4, 1.36 [95% CI 0.95/1.77; p<0.0001] at week 8, and 1.42 [95% CI 1.00/1.85; p<0.0001] at week 12 compared to the control group. Qualitative findings indicated that participants found the programme accessible and beneficial, enhancing self-efficacy in physical activities for older adults.
CONCLUSION:
A 12-week, home-based, 20-minute daily progressive exercise snacking programme can yield clinically meaningful improvements in physical function. This approach presents a low-cost, scalable method to increase strength and balance exercise participation among pre-frail older adults.

REFERENCES:
1. Liang, I. J., Francombe-Webb, J., Mcguigan, P. M., Perkin, O. J., Thompson, D., & Western, M. J. (2023). The acceptability of homebased exercise snacking and Tai-chi snacking amongst high and low function UK and Taiwanese older adults. Frontiers in Aging, 4.
2. Liang, I. J., Perkin, O. J., McGuigan, P. M., Thompson, D., & Western, M. J. (2021). Feasibility and acceptability of home-based exercise snacking and tai chi snacking delivered remotely to self-isolating older adults during COVID-19. Journal of aging and physical activity, 30(1), 33-43.