Effect of a Physical Activity Program on Older Adults with Frailty Syndrome in Mexicali, Mexico

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a physical activity program in the presence of frailty in older adults at Family Medicine Unit Nº. 16. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was carried out on older adults enrolled in the FMU Nº. 16. The FRAIL scale was administered to detect frailty and they were included in a 12-week physical activity program to compare its effect on frailty syndrome. Descriptive analysis and Fisher’s test were used, with p < 0.05 being considered significant using the SPSSv24 statistical program. Results: The sample consisted of 46 patients with frailty syndrome. The predominant age group was 68.83 years and a BMI of 30.40 kg/m² (obesity) were found in both sexes. Before the intervention, 58.8% were pre-frail and 41.2% frail; after the intervention, it was observed that 43.5% of the participants who were initially frail or pre-frail were classified as non-frail. After the program, 43.5% were non-frail and pre-frail, respectively, and only 13% were frail. Conclusions: The results obtained are consistent with current literature on the effectiveness of physical exercise programs in reducing frailty in older adults.