Effects of different exercise habits on mitigating physical frailty in older adults: A cross-sectional study

Encouraging regular exercise is essential for promoting health among older adults. This study aimed to examine the effects of exercise on frailty and aging, considering demographic and economic factors. Between August to December 2022, individuals aged 65 and older were recruited from 12 districts in Taipei. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on exercise frequency, duration, and type. Frailty status was assessed using the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures (SOF) criteria. A total of 2,545 participants were analyzed using logistic regression. The results indicated that 23.4% of participants were pre-frail and 8.7% were frail. Regular exercise was significantly associated with a reduced risk of frailty. Specifically, exercise duration exhibited a significant inverse relationship with frailty risk. Participants that exercised 31-60 minutes daily had a 59% lower risk of frailty compared to those who exercised less than 15 minutes daily. Those participants who exercised more than 60 minutes daily had a 69% lower risk. Additionally, participants who did not engaging in aerobic exercise had a 34% higher risk of pre-frailty. Thus, these findings underscore the importance of promoting regular exercise, particularly aerobic exercise, as key strategies to reduce frailty and improve overall health in older adults.