Effects of a combined physical training and nutrition intervention on physical performance and health-related quality of life in prefrail older women living in the community: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine whether a 12-week combined physical exercise training and nutritional intervention improves physical performance and enhances health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among prefrail elderly women living in the community.

Design: This was a randomized controlled trial in which participants were recruited and randomly assigned to the exercise and nutrition group (EN, n = 30), exercise only group (E, n = 28), and control group (C, n = 31).

Setting: Group training classes were held at a research center in Itabashi Ward, Tokyo, Japan.

Participants: Eighty-nine prefrail women aged 70 years or older.

Intervention: The EN group participated in an exercise training and nutritional program (cooking class) once a week, and the E group participated in the exercise training program only.

Measurements: Outcome measures that included physical performance (handgrip strength, balance, walking speed) and HRQOL (Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey) were obtained at entry, the end of the 12-week intervention, and 6 months after completion of the intervention program.

Results: At the end of the 12-week intervention, significant improvements in the physical component summary score and 3 (role physical, bodily pain, role emotional) of the 8 domains of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey were observed in the EN group. The E group exhibited a significantly increased handgrip strength at postintervention. The positive effects, however, were not maintained at 6-month follow-up, but were reduced.

Conclusions: The combined physical exercise training and nutritional intervention program has beneficial effects on several domains of HRQOL and handgrip strength in prefrail elderly women living in the community. However, further studies are needed to examine approaches that facilitate maintenance of the improved outcomes by combined exercise training and nutritional intervention.

Keywords: Frail elderly; clinical trial; diet; exercise; hand strength; quality of life.