Preservation of functional capacity and lower-limb mechanical power during acute hospitalisation: effects of a low-cost multicomponent exercise programme in older adults-a randomised controlled trial
In brief
In-hospital exercise improved older adults' mobility scores by 3.2 points
In this randomized trial of 47 hospitalized adults aged 70 and older, a multicomponent exercise program was linked to better mobility, balance, chair-rise performance and cognitive scores at discharge than usual care. Participants completed about four sessions during hospitalization. The small trial supports structured exercise in acute care, but larger studies are needed to confirm the benefits.
- Journal
- Age and ageing (Q1)
- Published
- 3 August 2026
- Study design
- Randomized controlled trial
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1b)
- Authors
- Marcelo Bandeira-Guimarães, Eduarda Blanco-Rambo, Mikel Izquierdo, Nadyne Rubin, Antenor Barbosa Calandrini, Philipe de Souto Barreto, et al.
- PMID
- 42891965
- DOI
- 10.1093/ageing/afag301
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Rehabilitation (top studies of the week, 8 November 2026): Multicomponent exercise attenuates physical and cognitive decline
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hospitalised older adults are at increased risk of hospitalisation-associated disability. OBJECTIVE: to investigate the effects of an in-hospital exercise program on functional and cognitive outcomes in older adults admitted to an Acute Care for the Elderly (ACE) unit. METHODS: This randomised controlled trial included acutely hospitalised older adults (≥70 years) randomised to an exercise intervention based on VIVIFRAIL program [intervention group (IG)] or usual care [control group (CG)]. Exercise intervention included resistance/power training, balance and gait exercises. Primary outcome was the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Secondary outcomes included handgrip strength, gait speed, balance, timed-up-and-go, sit-to-stand (STS) time and relative STS power, global cognitive function using Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), executive function and depressive symptoms. Assessments were performed at ACE unit admission and discharge. Analyses followed the intention-to-treat principle using generalised estimating equations. RESULTS: Forty-seven participants (83.1 ± 5.1 years, 33% women) were randomised into the groups and performed 4 ± 2 exercise sessions across the hospitalisation period. Significant time × group interactions were found for SPPB, STS time, maximal and mean relative STS power, balance and MMSE, favouring IG compared to CG. Between-groups mean differences at discharge were observed for SPPB [3.18 points, 95% CI (1.3, 5.1)], STS time [-11.3 s, (-20.6, -1.9)], maximal relative STS power [1.45 W/Kg, (0.3, 2.5)], mean relative STS power [0.70 W/Kg, (0.2, 1.2)] and MMSE [2.16 points, (0.6, 3.7)] favouring IG compared to CG. CONCLUSION: Multicomponent exercise may attenuate physical and cognitive declines during acute hospitalisation. These findings support the implementation of structured exercise programmes during hospitalisation. (Registration number: NCT06682598).
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.