Exercise snacking to improve physical function in pre-frail older adult memory clinic patients: a 28-day pilot study
Abstract Background Finding innovative yet feasible ways of preventing physical and cognitive decline in those at risk is a critical global challenge, with exercise being championed as a key precursor to robust health in later life. Exercise snacking, here defined as short bouts of sporadic [muscle-...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-08-01
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| Series: | BMC Geriatrics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-04169-6 |
| _version_ | 1797556595826098176 |
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| author | Max J. Western Tomas Welsh Kristen Keen Vanessa Bishop Oliver J. Perkin |
| author_facet | Max J. Western Tomas Welsh Kristen Keen Vanessa Bishop Oliver J. Perkin |
| author_sort | Max J. Western |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Finding innovative yet feasible ways of preventing physical and cognitive decline in those at risk is a critical global challenge, with exercise being championed as a key precursor to robust health in later life. Exercise snacking, here defined as short bouts of sporadic [muscle-strengthening] exercise, is one such strategy designed to overcome typical participation barriers observed in older adults. This study examined the acceptability of exercise snacking amongst pre-frail older adults and explored the efficacy of this approach in improving physical function. Methods In this single group design, 21 pre-frail outpatients with mild-cognitive impairment were recruited from a UK memory clinic. To be eligible, participants were aged ≥ 65-years who scored 3–8 (inclusive) on the short physical performance battery (SPPB) and were not regularly engaging in sport or exercise. Participants completed a 28-day, twice daily, exercise snacking intervention, consisting of five muscle-strengthening exercises, with the aim being to complete as many repetitions as possible of each exercise in a minute. Acceptability of the intervention was measured quantitatively and qualitatively using a survey and topic guide informed by the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. Pre- and post-intervention physical function was measured using the SPPB, timed up-and-go (TUG), and 60s standing balance and sit-to-stand tests. Results Eighteen participants provided follow-up data and showed 85% adherence to the exercise snacking intervention, measured as the proportion of all sessions completed out of a possible 56. Participants rated the intervention as highly acceptable (4.6/5) suggesting it supported their self-efficacy (4.3/5) was enjoyable (4.1/5) and had a low burden (2.1/5). Qualitative findings suggested the ease of use, flexibility of the programme, and perceived effectiveness was important, and particularly useful for non-exercisers. Changes in SPPB score (8(1) vs. 9(3), p < 0.01), TUG (11.32(4.02) vs. 9.18(5.25) seconds, p < 0.01) and in the 60-second sit-to-stand test (17 ± 5 vs. 23 ± 7 repetitions, p < 0.01) were seen between baseline and follow-up. Conclusions Exercise snacking is an acceptable and potentially efficacious format of exercise for pre-frail memory clinic attendees who are at heightened risk of falling and frailty. Large scale randomised controlled trials are required to confirm whether exercise snacking is effective in the short and long term. ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT05439252 (30/06/2022) |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T17:05:06Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-98811687667c40eabd88beb1b71b40f4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2318 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T17:05:06Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Geriatrics |
| spelling | doaj.art-98811687667c40eabd88beb1b71b40f42023-11-20T10:51:11ZengBMCBMC Geriatrics1471-23182023-08-0123111310.1186/s12877-023-04169-6Exercise snacking to improve physical function in pre-frail older adult memory clinic patients: a 28-day pilot studyMax J. Western0Tomas Welsh1Kristen Keen2Vanessa Bishop3Oliver J. Perkin4Centre for Motivation and Health Behaviour Change, Department for Health, University of BathResearch Institute for Care of Older People, The RICE Centre, Royal United HospitalResearch Institute for Care of Older People, The RICE Centre, Royal United HospitalResearch Institute for Care of Older People, The RICE Centre, Royal United HospitalCentre for Nutrition, Exercise and Metabolism, Department for Health, University of BathAbstract Background Finding innovative yet feasible ways of preventing physical and cognitive decline in those at risk is a critical global challenge, with exercise being championed as a key precursor to robust health in later life. Exercise snacking, here defined as short bouts of sporadic [muscle-strengthening] exercise, is one such strategy designed to overcome typical participation barriers observed in older adults. This study examined the acceptability of exercise snacking amongst pre-frail older adults and explored the efficacy of this approach in improving physical function. Methods In this single group design, 21 pre-frail outpatients with mild-cognitive impairment were recruited from a UK memory clinic. To be eligible, participants were aged ≥ 65-years who scored 3–8 (inclusive) on the short physical performance battery (SPPB) and were not regularly engaging in sport or exercise. Participants completed a 28-day, twice daily, exercise snacking intervention, consisting of five muscle-strengthening exercises, with the aim being to complete as many repetitions as possible of each exercise in a minute. Acceptability of the intervention was measured quantitatively and qualitatively using a survey and topic guide informed by the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. Pre- and post-intervention physical function was measured using the SPPB, timed up-and-go (TUG), and 60s standing balance and sit-to-stand tests. Results Eighteen participants provided follow-up data and showed 85% adherence to the exercise snacking intervention, measured as the proportion of all sessions completed out of a possible 56. Participants rated the intervention as highly acceptable (4.6/5) suggesting it supported their self-efficacy (4.3/5) was enjoyable (4.1/5) and had a low burden (2.1/5). Qualitative findings suggested the ease of use, flexibility of the programme, and perceived effectiveness was important, and particularly useful for non-exercisers. Changes in SPPB score (8(1) vs. 9(3), p < 0.01), TUG (11.32(4.02) vs. 9.18(5.25) seconds, p < 0.01) and in the 60-second sit-to-stand test (17 ± 5 vs. 23 ± 7 repetitions, p < 0.01) were seen between baseline and follow-up. Conclusions Exercise snacking is an acceptable and potentially efficacious format of exercise for pre-frail memory clinic attendees who are at heightened risk of falling and frailty. Large scale randomised controlled trials are required to confirm whether exercise snacking is effective in the short and long term. ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT05439252 (30/06/2022)https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-04169-6Exercise SnackingPhysical functionAcceptabilityFeasibilityMemory |
| spellingShingle | Max J. Western Tomas Welsh Kristen Keen Vanessa Bishop Oliver J. Perkin Exercise snacking to improve physical function in pre-frail older adult memory clinic patients: a 28-day pilot study BMC Geriatrics Exercise Snacking Physical function Acceptability Feasibility Memory |
| title | Exercise snacking to improve physical function in pre-frail older adult memory clinic patients: a 28-day pilot study |
| title_full | Exercise snacking to improve physical function in pre-frail older adult memory clinic patients: a 28-day pilot study |
| title_fullStr | Exercise snacking to improve physical function in pre-frail older adult memory clinic patients: a 28-day pilot study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exercise snacking to improve physical function in pre-frail older adult memory clinic patients: a 28-day pilot study |
| title_short | Exercise snacking to improve physical function in pre-frail older adult memory clinic patients: a 28-day pilot study |
| title_sort | exercise snacking to improve physical function in pre frail older adult memory clinic patients a 28 day pilot study |
| topic | Exercise Snacking Physical function Acceptability Feasibility Memory |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-04169-6 |
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