Exploring the impact of short-term adherence to physical activity guidelines to improve the intrinsic capacity of older adults

Abstract Objectives Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) are both key parameters of intrinsic capacity. To date, the impact of adherence to physical activity guidelines by older adults on these facets is poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the impact of 4 weeks adherence to UK physical activity guidelines on parameters of intrinsic capacity in older adults, with a secondary aim to determine the utility of a bedside-suitable predictive model of assessing CRF for predicting change in this parameter. Methods 14 older adults (22 % female, age: 66–80 years) completed a 4-week intervention in which they adhered to UK physical activity guidelines via a combination of supervised and home-based exercise. In addition to assessments of CRF via cardiopulmonary exercise testing and SMM via ultrasonography, whole-body and handgrip strength (HGS) and step-box test (SBT) variables were also measured before and after the intervention. Results Our intervention resulted in significant increases in CRF (ventilatory threshold (VT): +2.7 ± 0.9 mL/kg/min, p<0.01), vastus lateralis muscle thickness (+9 %, p=0.02) and whole-body strength (+47 %, p<0.01). There was no change in HGS or SBT performance. The bedside-suitable predictive model of CRF was not able to determine change (R 2 =0.11, p=0.25). Conclusions Adherence to UK physical activity guidelines for just 4 weeks improves the CRF, SMM and whole-body strength of community-dwelling older adults. Collectively, these findings illustrate that adherence to current guidelines can improve key aspects of intrinsic capacity in older individuals. The impact of such interventions in populations at risk of accelerated physiological decline, warrant further investigation.