Exercise Specificity project
project reports

The goal of this research is to better understand the role of exercise for the modification of physical frailty in men and women over the age of 75 years.

We know that exercise works to improve function but what forms of exercise work best to enhance physical well-being is not well understood. Frailty is a multi-faceted phenomenon with multiple risk factors involving reductions in strength, flexibility, speed of movement, balance, sensory input from the periphery, coordination, and muscular and cardiovascular endurance.

This project is intended to examine the effects of aerobic, strength-training and flexibility/balance exercise on each of the risk factors of frailty and to examine the long-term staying power of each exercise approach. Participants are evaluated prior to exercise group assignment, after 3 months of exercise and again 3 and 6 months after exercise has ended. The opportunity to continue exercise following graduation from the supervised program is also provided. It is hoped that results will help clinical practitioners optimally select a rehabilitation approach for frail seniors.

For more information, contact the grant coordinator: Marilee Bomar at