Exploring How Exercise Frequency Impacts Muscle Resistance and Balance in Institutionalized Seniors

Plain-language summary

The older population is the least likely to engage in regular physical activity and to meet international recommendations for performing 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week. Additionally, older adults living in care institutions tend to have even lower levels of physical activity compared to those living in the community. This physical inactivity among institutionalized older adults carries harmful consequences, such as the loss of muscle mass and strength, both of which are associated with decreased balance and an increased risk of falling, an adverse event with personal, physical, economic, social, and potentially fatal implications. Although this situation is well described in the literature, little is known about whether increasing physical activity levels from near-optimal (almost 150 minutes of physical activity per week) to optimal (more than 150 minutes per week) can influence muscle strength and balance in institutionalized older adults, and thereby reduce the burden related to falls. This type of research is essential, as weekly frequency may be a variable to consider in the prescription of physical exercise for this population. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends using the FITT principle (Frequency, Intensity, Type, and Time) to guide exercise prescription. By adjusting these factors, individuals can tailor workouts to their specific goals and fitness levels. While attention has been given to the type of training, its intensity, and its duration, it is important to recognize that total weekly volume may be a determining factor for improvements in components of physical fitness. Considering that this population tends to be physically inactive, incorporating physical activity two or three times per week may lead to different outcomes. While exercising twice per week may seem suboptimal, as it does not meet international guidelines, engaging in physical activity three times per week may be the minimum necessary to observe positive effects on muscle strength and balance.

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