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Fitness training for the old and frail

Effectiveness and impact on daily life coping and self-care abilities

Fitnesstraining für alte gebrechliche Menschen

Effektivität und Einfluss auf Alltagsbewältigung und Selbstpflegefähigkeit

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An Erratum to this article was published on 15 January 2016

Abstract

Background

Limitations of functionality and mobility due to age-related decrease in muscle strength, balance and physical endurance are closely related to weakness, risk of falls, malnutrition as well as an increase in morbidity and mortality.

Study participants and methods

In a pilot study we developed and evaluated an 8-week equipment-based progressive resistance training program for geriatric day hospital patients (> 65 years) to improve strength, endurance and coordination. Of the 38 patients who entered the study, 20 were randomly assigned to the intervention group (ALFIT training) and 18 to the control group who only participated in the routine program of the day hospital. Motivation, experiences during training and the subjective impact on coping with daily life were examined with qualitative interviews.

Results

Muscular strength, endurance, coordination and balance improved during the implementation of the ALFIT training program. The most pronounced effects were seen for the leg pressing with an average increase of 27.8 ± 16 kg (mean ± SD) in terms of 1 repetition maximum and an increase of 12.6 ± 23.7 (mean ± SD) in terms of muscular endurance (number of repetitions). Positive effects were also evident for mobility and nutritional status. The results of the interviews suggest that the ALFIT training leads to noticeably better physical function and confidence and can have a positive impact on coping in daily life and self-care abilities.

Conclusion

The results show that ALFIT training was appropriate for the needs of geriatric patients and demonstrated beneficial effects on muscular strength, functionality and mobility. The results of the interviews suggest that even frail old people can be motivated to engage in sports.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund

Einschränkungen von Funktionalität und Mobilität aufgrund altersassoziierter Abnahme von Muskelkraft, Balancefähigkeit und Ausdauer stehen in engem Zusammenhang mit Schwäche, Sturzgefahr und Mangelernährung sowie mit der Zunahme von Morbidität und Mortalität.

Studienteilnehmer und Methoden

In einer Pilotstudie wurde ein 8-Wochen-Programm mit progressivem Krafttraining an sporttherapeutischen Geräten zur Verbesserung von Kraft, Ausdauer und Balance bei geriatrischen Tagesklinikpatienten (> 65 Jahre) auf Effektivität getestet. Von 38 Patienten wurden 20 in die Interventions-(ALFIT-Training) und 18 in die Kontrollgruppe randomisiert, die Kontrollgruppe absolvierte ausschließlich das Standardprogramm der Tagesklinik. Motivation und Trainingserfahrungen sowie Auswirkungen auf den Alltag der Trainierenden wurden mittels qualitativer Interviews untersucht.

Ergebnisse

Muskelkraft, Ausdauer, Koordination und Balance haben sich im Verlauf des ALFIT-Trainings verbessert. Die stärksten Effekte zeigten sich für die Beinpresse mit einer Zunahme von Kraft [(27,8 ± 16 kg, „one repetition maximum“, Mittelwert (MW) ± Standardabweichung (SD)] und Ausdauer (12,6 ± 23,7, Zahl der Wiederholungen, MW ± SD). Positive Auswirkungen zeigen sich auch für Mobilität und Ernährungszustand. Die Ergebnisse der Interviews deuten darauf hin, dass das Training zu spürbar besserer körperlicher Funktionalität führt, die Selbstsicherheit stärkt sowie einen positiven Einfluss auf Alltagsbewältigung und Selbstpflegefähigkeit haben kann.

Schlussfolgerung

Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass sich das ALFIT-Training für geriatrische Tagesklinikpatienten eignete und sich positiv auf Muskelkraft, Mobilität und Funktionalität auswirkte. Die Ergebnisse der Interviews zeigen, dass auch alte, gebrechliche Menschen für körperliches Training motivierbar sind.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Nursing Science and Practice, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria

    Maria Magdalena Schreier, Ulrike Bauer MA & Jürgen Osterbrink Ph.D

  2. Institute of preventive and rehabilitative Sports Medicine, Landeskrankenhaus, Salzburg, Austria

    Josef Niebauer M.D.

  3. Department of Geriatric Medicine, Christian Doppler Klinik, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria

    Bernhard Iglseder M.D. & Jens Reiss M.D.

Authors
  1. Maria Magdalena Schreier
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  2. Ulrike Bauer MA
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Correspondence to Maria Magdalena Schreier.

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Conflict of interest

M.M. Schreier, U. Bauer, J. Osterbrink, J. Niebauer, B. Iglseder and J. Reiss state that there are no conflicts of interest.

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects. Annotation: We would like to thank all the participants as well as Christian Tonner, Patrick Kutschar and Gertrud Wewerka for participation and support.

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Schreier, M., Bauer, U., Osterbrink, J. et al. Fitness training for the old and frail. Z Gerontol Geriat 49, 107–114 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00391-015-0966-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00391-015-0966-0

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