Exercise Program for Maintaining Physical Function and Frailty on Dwelling Older Adults

Older people living in their homes and receiving social assistance are at a high risk of suffering functional loss, hospitalization and/or developing disability. This condition is known as frailty. Exercise programs including strength, balance and flexibility training have demonstrated to prevent, delay or even treat frailty. However, participation in this type of exercise programs is very limited in the group of older adults mentioned above.The present study seeks to evaluate the effects of an exercise program designed to maintain or improve physical function and frailty. The hypothesis is that people who participate in the physical exercise program will maintain or improve their physical capacity, their frailty and psycho-affective status, their quality of life, and generate a lower demand for social and health services compared to those people who do not exercise.

Inclusion Criteria:70 years or older.Home care users managed by the municipal social network.In a stable situation (no worsening, no convalescence, no hospital discharge).Frail or pre-frail individuals.Exclusion Criteria:At the end of life.<60 on the Barthel Index.Cognitive impairment that affects their decision-making ability (Mini Mental State Examination, MMSE <24).Subjects that, on Home Care Service's assistant's criteria, do not meet the conditions to be included in the study.