Research

Mixed

An 8-week combined functional strength and balance training program with nutrition education significantly improves grip strength, sit-to-stand functioning, and dynamic balance in older adults with pre-frailty and frailty.

If you are an older adult feeling frail, start with a structured program that focuses on functional movements like squats and stepping, performed twice a week. Focus on form first, then gradually increase difficulty. Combine this with eating more protein (aiming for 1.2g per kg of body weight) spread across your meals, using affordable sources like dairy, eggs, or beans. This approach improves your strength, balance, and ability to perform daily tasks without needing expensive equipment.

ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
At follow-up, participants had significantly improved grip strength (1.63 kg, 95% CI: 0.62 to 2.63); sit-to-stand functioning (2 sit-to-stands, 95% CI: 1 to 3); and dynamic balance (1.68 s, 95% CI: 0.47 to 2.89).
Isabel B. Rodrigues et al. · Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada · 2022

Why this rating

Pilot RCT with small sample size (n=44) and exploratory nature, but uses a robust stepped-wedge design.

Source

Encouraging older adults with pre-frailty and frailty to “MoveStrong”: an analysis of secondary outcomes for a pilot randomized controlled trial

Isabel B. Rodrigues et al. · Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada · 2022

DOI 10.24095/hpcdp.42.6.02

rct · n=44Cited 8×
Read the paper
DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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