Physical exercise and/or enriched foods for functional improvement in frail, independently living elderly: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of an exercise program and an enriched food regimen on physical functioning of frail elderly persons.


METHODS
A 17-week randomized, placebo-controlled trial.


METHODS
Community.


METHODS
One hundred fifty-seven independently living frail elderly (mean age, 78.7 +/- 5.6yr).


METHODS
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.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Chin A Paw
M J
MJ
Division of Human Nutrition and Epidemiology, Wageningen Agricultural University, Wageningen, the Netherlands. M.Chinapaw.emgo@med.vu.nl
de Jong
N
N
Schouten
E G
EG
Hiddink
G J
GJ
Kok
F J
FJ
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric