Changes in physical performance and frailty-associated risk associated with participation in a community exercise programme: Findings from the ExWell cohort - 05/10/26
, Paul Doody a, Noel McCaffrey b, Aodhaghan O'Deasmhunaigh c, Fiona Skelly b, Lisa Kelly d, Sean P Kennelly e, Susan M Smith a, Noel McCarthy a
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Highlights |
• | Participation in the ExWell programme was associated with improvements across frailty groups. |
• | Higher levels of frailty were associated with increased attrition rates. |
• | Focus should be placed on engaging and retaining more frail participants. |
• | Strategies to improve adherence and reduce attrition warrant further investigation. |
Abstract |
Introduction |
Exercise can improve physical function and reduce disability in older adults living with frailty. ExWell Medical is a national, community-based, medically supported group exercise program for people living with chronic conditions in Ireland.
Study aims/objectives |
We aimed to evaluate the longitudinal association between baseline frailty status and outcomes including gait speed in ExWell programme participants.
Methods |
This is a secondary data analysis of a prospective cohort study. All participants attending an ExWell Medical induction in the Dublin/Kildare regions January-September 2023 were invited to participate. At baseline, 12, and 24 weeks we collected data on socio-demographics; health behaviours; measures of physical function; patient-reported outcomes. The cohort were stratified by Clinical Frailty Scale category at baseline.
Results |
We recruited 1290 participants (mean age 69 (SD:10.9) years; 60% female. At baseline 15% of participants were classified as frail, 23% prefrail, 62% robust. Baseline frailty was associated with a higher chronic condition count, higher health service use, poorer scores on measures of physical function, EQVAS, EQ5D5L index scores. There was an inverse association between frailty and class attendance (p < 0.001). Attrition increased with increasing baseline frailty status (p = 0.006). Participants who were frail at baseline had improvements between baseline and 24-week reassessment in gait speed, timed up and go, six-minute time trial, EQVAS; prefrail participants in the sit to stand test, six-minute time trial, EQVAS, but no improvement in timed up and go. Robust participants recorded improvements in all measures.
Conclusion |
Participation in the ExWell programme was associated with improvements across frailty groups in community-dwelling adults living with chronic conditions.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Keywords : Frailty, Ageing, Exercise therapy
Plan
Vol 15 - N° 5
Article 100199- octobre 2026 Retour au numéro
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