What this means
In this small trial, hospital patients who exercised did better on some physical and memory tests at discharge. It does not show that exercise prevents disability for everyone, and the group was small.
Plain-English summary written by an AI model from the abstract. The original is below.
- Who it was tested in
- 47 hospitalised adults aged 70 and older
- Kind of research
- A clinical trial in people
The science
- Original title
- Preservation of functional capacity and lower-limb mechanical power during acute hospitalisation: effects of a low-cost multicomponent exercise programme in older adults-a randomised controlled trial.
- Authors
- Bandeira-Guimarães M, Blanco-Rambo E, Izquierdo M et al.
- Journal
- Age and ageing
- Published
- Oct 18, 2026
- Study type
- Clinical trial · in humans
- PMID
- 42891965 ↗
Abstract
Background
Hospitalised older adults are at increased risk of hospitalisation-associated disability. to investigate the effects of an in-hospital exercise program on functional and cognitive outcomes in older adults admitted to an Acute Care for the Elderly (ACE) unit.
What they did
This randomised controlled trial included acutely hospitalised older adults (≥70 years) randomised to an exercise intervention based on VIVIFRAIL program [intervention group (IG)] or usual care [control group (CG)]. Exercise intervention included resistance/power training, balance and gait exercises. Primary outcome was the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Secondary outcomes included handgrip strength, gait speed, balance, timed-up-and-go, sit-to-stand (STS) time and relative STS power, global cognitive function using Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), executive function and depressive symptoms. Assessments were performed at ACE unit admission and discharge. Analyses followed the intention-to-treat principle using generalised estimating equations.
What they found
Forty-seven participants (83.1 ± 5.1 years, 33% women) were randomised into the groups and performed 4 ± 2 exercise sessions across the hospitalisation period. Significant time × group interactions were found for SPPB, STS time, maximal and mean relative STS power, balance and MMSE, favouring IG compared to CG. Between-groups mean differences at discharge were observed for SPPB [3.18 points, 95% CI (1.3, 5.1)], STS time [-11.3 s, (-20.6, -1.9)], maximal relative STS power [1.45 W/Kg, (0.3, 2.5)], mean relative STS power [0.70 W/Kg, (0.2, 1.2)] and MMSE [2.16 points, (0.6, 3.7)] favouring IG compared to CG. Multicomponent exercise may attenuate physical and cognitive declines during acute hospitalisation. These findings support the implementation of structured exercise programmes during hospitalisation. (Registration number: NCT06682598).
The authors' abstract, grouped under plain headings from its own section labels.
Bandeira-Guimarães M, Blanco-Rambo E, Izquierdo M et al. Preservation of functional capacity and lower-limb mechanical power during acute hospitalisation: effects of a low-cost multicomponent exercise programme in older adults-a randomised controlled trial. Age and ageing. 2026. doi:10.1093/ageing/afag301. PMID: 42891965. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42891965/
Related research
Short exercise breaks for older nursing home residents with muscle loss
This is a plan for a trial, and it has not reported results yet. It does not show whether the exercises help, so we cannot say yet.
Matching training loads to strength or speed profile in older adults
Older adults trained at loads matched to their speed gap or at loads not matched. Each group changed differently in force and speed, but power and daily function did not differ.
Home exercise may change muscle in people with kidney disease
A small trial found changes in muscle blood vessels and fewer fibrosis-linked cells after 12 weeks of home exercise. Only 25 people took part, so this does not prove the exercise caused lasting muscle benefits.
Effect of resistance, balance, and aerobic training on strength, mobility, balance, and quality of life in older adults with sarcopenia: a systematic review…
BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is an age-related condition characterized by gradual loss of muscle mass and strength, leading to reduced physical function, often observed among older adults.
Exercise programs may help older adults' mood, social life and some strength tests
This review combined 25 controlled trials of physical activity in older adults. It found gains in social life, mood and some physical tests, but not in every area.
Resistance Training Improves Respiratory Muscle Strength and Immune Response in Older Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Background: Aging is associated with sarcopenia, chronic low-grade inflammation, impaired functional capacity, and reduced respiratory muscle strength.
See all research on Exercise →