The impact of an exercise intervention on frailty levels in hospitalised older adults: secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial

Abstract Background physical activity reduces frailty in community-dwelling older adults. How exercise influences frailty in hospitalised older adults requires additional investigation. Objectives (i) to examine the impact of an exercise intervention on frailty in older adults admitted to an acute care ward, and (ii) to determine the impact of baseline frailty on the effectiveness of this intervention. Setting/participants this is a secondary analysis of a randomised controlled clinical trial that tested an intensive exercise intervention in ≥75-year-old adults admitted to an acute care ward. Methods the intervention included two daily sessions of moderate-intensity exercises (control received usual care). A 63-item Frailty Index (FI) was constructed, and three groups were formed: