Understanding the Relationship between Physical Activity and Frailty

Abstract

Frailty, characterized by decreased physiological reserve and increased vulnerability, is a concern among aging populations. Physical activity is a lead intervention for mitigating frailty, yet gaps remain in understanding how different factors influence this relationship. Manuscript 1 shows that engaging in either of the recommended levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and resistance training is associated with reduced frailty, with males showing the strongest associations. Manuscript 2 investigates how frailty measurement tools influence the relationship between physical activity and frailty, revealing a difference in association by the tool used. Manuscript 3 examines the influence of lifestyle behaviors on frailty. Poor lifestyle behaviors are linked to increased frailty risk, regardless of physical activity levels. However, active individuals generally exhibit lower frailty levels than inactive individuals. This dissertation contributes to understanding the complex relationship between physical activity and frailty by emphasizing the importance of considering age, sex, frailty measurement tools, and lifestyle behaviors.