Multicomponent Physical Exercise, Functional Fitness and Emotional Well-Being in Institutionalized Older Adults: A Longitudinal Pre-Experimental Study Multicomponent Physical Exercise, Functional Fitness and Emotional Well-Being in Institutionalized Older Adults: A Longitudinal Pre-Experimental Study
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Abstract
Background: Population aging in Chile has increased the need to promote functional capacity and well-being among institutionalized older adults. Evidence supports multicomponent physical exercise as an effective intervention to improve physical and emotional health in this population.
Objective: To evaluate the effect of a multicomponent physical exercise program on functional physical fitness and emotional well-being in institutionalized older adults residing at “Residencia Esperanza” long-term care facility in Talca, Chile.
Methods: A longitudinal pre-experimental study was conducted with 15 participants (67% women; 79 ± 7 years) with controlled chronic diseases. The 12-week program included three 60-minute sessions per week, involving strength, balance, endurance, and flexibility exercises. Functional fitness was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test (SFT), and emotional well-being was evaluated with the Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale (GADS). Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the sample, and the Wilcoxon test was applied to determine intervention effects with a significance level of p < 0.05.
Results: After 12 weeks, lower-body strength increased from 8.0 to 15.5 repetitions (+94%), and upper-body strength from 11.1 to 20.0 repetitions (+80%). Aerobic endurance improved from 43.0 to 73.3 steps (+70%), and dynamic balance time decreased from 16.1 s to 8.3 s (−48%). Lower-body flexibility improved from −17.1 cm to −2.5 cm (+85% recovery), and upper-body flexibility from −31.8 cm to −9.7 cm (+70%). Anxiety and depression scores decreased significantly. Adherence reached 85%, with no adverse events reported.
Conclusion: The multicomponent exercise program produced clinically relevant improvements in physical function and emotional well-being, demonstrating that it is a safe, effective, and feasible intervention for institutionalized older adults.
Keywords: multicomponent exercise; older adults; institutionalization; physical fitness; anxiety; depression.
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