Relationship between Physical Activity and Exercise and Frailty among the Elderly under the restriction of Social Activities

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K11435
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59020:Sports sciences-related
• Research Institution: Mukogawa Women's University
• Principal Investigator: IMAMURA Tomomi 武庫川女子大学, 食物栄養科学部, 准教授 (10411969)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: フレイル / 栄養 / 運動 / 身体活動

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Frailty was assessed using a five-items: (1) weight loss, (2) walking speed, (3) exercise habits, (4) memory, and (5) fatigue. The Frailty Score increased from 1.35 to 1.43 in a questionnaire survey of 1,235 Nishinomiya City residents, comparing the 2020 survey with the 2021 survey. The study also found that the group with a low dietary variety score was twice as likely to develop flailty as the group with a high dietary variety score. In addition, those who participated in health classes that focused on exercise and nutritional guidance had better physical fitness indicators than those who did not participate.
Thus, although activity limitation increased the risk of frailty, the implementation of health classes was effective in preventing its progression.

Free Research Field

栄養学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

感染症拡大防止のための活動制限は、高齢者においてフレイルのリスクとなりうる。さらに、食生活において、摂取する食品の種類が少ないこともフレイルの発症と関連することがわかった。よって、積極的な運動などにより身体活動量を高めることと、摂取する食品の多様性を高めることがフレイル予防のために重要であると考える。それぞれの人にあった方法で、これらのことを達成できる方法を模索していくべきである。