OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of an exercise program and an enriched food regimen on physical functioning of frail elderly persons. DESIGN: A 17-week randomized, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: Community. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred fifty-seven independently living frail elderly (mean age, 78.7 +/- 5.6yr). INTERVENTION: Thirty-nine subjects participated in atwice weekly group exercise designed to improve daily functioning; 39 subjects daily ate foods enriched with vitamins and minerals (at 25%-100% of the recommended daily allowances); 42 subjects exercised and ate enriched foods; and 37 subjects served as controls. Nonexercising groups followed a social program; nonsupplement groups received the same food products without the micronutrients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Functional performance based on 6 performance tests, physical fitness based on 7 fitness tests, and disabilities based on the self-reported ability to perform 16 daily activities. RESULTS:Performance sum scores were significantly enhanced in trained (+8%) compared with nontrained subjects (-8%) (difference in change: 1.9 points, p < .001, adjusted for baseline scores). Fitness sum scores were significantly enhanced as well (+3% in trained vs -2% in nontrained) (difference in change: 0.9 points, p = .05, adjusted for baseline scores). No exercise effects on the disability score were observed. Consumption of enriched products did not affect performance, fitness, or disability scores. CONCLUSION: Our comprehensive exercise program, designed for widespread applicability, enhanced physical performance and fitness in a population of frail elderly. Daily consumption of micronutrient enriched foods showed no functional benefits within 17 weeks.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of an exercise program and an enriched food regimen on physical functioning of frail elderly persons. DESIGN: A 17-week randomized, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: Community. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred fifty-seven independently living frail elderly (mean age, 78.7 +/- 5.6yr). INTERVENTION: Thirty-nine subjects participated in a twice weekly group exercise designed to improve daily functioning; 39 subjects daily ate foods enriched with vitamins and minerals (at 25%-100% of the recommended daily allowances); 42 subjects exercised and ate enriched foods; and 37 subjects served as controls. Nonexercising groups followed a social program; nonsupplement groups received the same food products without the micronutrients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Functional performance based on 6 performance tests, physical fitness based on 7 fitness tests, and disabilities based on the self-reported ability to perform 16 daily activities. RESULTS: Performance sum scores were significantly enhanced in trained (+8%) compared with nontrained subjects (-8%) (difference in change: 1.9 points, p < .001, adjusted for baseline scores). Fitness sum scores were significantly enhanced as well (+3% in trained vs -2% in nontrained) (difference in change: 0.9 points, p = .05, adjusted for baseline scores). No exercise effects on the disability score were observed. Consumption of enriched products did not affect performance, fitness, or disability scores. CONCLUSION: Our comprehensive exercise program, designed for widespread applicability, enhanced physical performance and fitness in a population of frail elderly. Daily consumption of micronutrient enriched foods showed no functional benefits within 17 weeks.
Authors: Vicki A Freedman; Nancy Hodgson; Joanne Lynn; Brenda C Spillman; Timothy Waidmann; Anne M Wilkinson; Douglas A Wolf Journal: Milbank Q Date: 2006 Impact factor: 4.911
Authors: Pariya Behrouzi; Pol Grootswagers; Paul L C Keizer; Ellen T H C Smeets; Edith J M Feskens; Lisette C P G M de Groot; Fred A van Eeuwijk Journal: J Nutr Date: 2020-03-01 Impact factor: 4.798