Physical Exercise, Nutrition Supplement and Frailty of Older Population

Objective: This study is aimed to explore the effect of physical exercise and nutrition supplement on improving frailty, depressive symptoms, and quality of life in community-dwelling older population.

Methods: We conduct a quasi-experimental study to measure frailty, depressive symptoms, and quality of life before and after intervention. A total of 120 community-living older adults with frailty identified by Fried's phenotype method are assigned to four groups: physical exercise group, nutrition supplements group, physical exercise and nutrition supplements group, and control group. Each participants in the assigned group will receive 12 weeks intervention. Measurements include frailty (Fried's phenotype method), depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale-15, GDS-15), and quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF). Data analyses include describe statistics, Chi-square test, and Analysis of Variance. A Generalized estimating equations (GEE) will be used to examine the effect of physical exercise and nutrition supplement on improving frailty, depressive symptoms, and quality of life.

Inclusion criteria

• older adults aged more than 60 years;
• pre-frail stage: must have one item as frailty identified using the Fried's phenotype method;
• normal cognition: AD8 score less than 2 points;
• can communicate with Mandarin or Taiwanese.

Exclusion criteria

• incapable of walk independent or using assistive devices (e.g., crutches);
• a condition of having an acute disease, hemodialysis, or unable to engage in physical activity;
• have history of unstable heart disease such as coronary heart disease, heart failure and hypertension without regular medication;
• have regular physical activity (≥150 minutes weekly) such as aerobic dance, swimming, Tai Chi.