Exercises and protein will reverse frailty in our older years

Health, Beauty and Lifestyle with Denise McNamara

A new Irish study which has the potential to drastically improve the health of people in their doting years has found that just 20 minutes of daily activity can reverse frailty. The major research project found that a combination of simple strength exercises and dietary changes helped halt frailty and enhance physical resilience in over 65-year-olds.

Researchers from University College Dublin (UCDO, Trinity College Dublin, Munster Technological University and six general practices around the country developed a simple, low cost intervention of resistance exercises and dietary protein.

The 20 minutes of daily activity at home involved ten exercises to strengthen arms and legs, improve balance and coordination. It also had participants on a diet with a variety of protein, including daily milk, eggs, tuna, chicken or plant-based protein such as beans and lentils. Protein provides the building blocks for muscle and bone.

The programme was initially tested on 112 older people during a year-long process. Then 168 participants from six doctors’ practices enrolled in a clinical trial and were randomly allocated to a control group.

Significant improvements were seen in the intervention group compared to the control group, including reversal of frailty, better grip strength, increased bone mass, and improved activity levels.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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