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Objective: To evaluate the impact of a function-focused multicomponent exercise program on long-term nursing home (LTNH) residents' ability to maintain activities of daily living (ADL), physical performance, cognitive function, quality of life, and frailty., Methods: This multicenter single-group pre-post quasi-experimental study involved 148 participants from 16 LTNHs in Gipuzkoa, Spain. Participants underwent a twice-weekly, 6-month function-focused multicomponent exercise program and were assessed both before and after the intervention., Results: Following the intervention, participants significantly maintained ADL ability, improved physical performance and quality of life, and reduced frailty (all p < 0.05). Cognitive function showed a positive trend. Subgroup analysis showed consistent improvements across demographics and health variables., Conclusions: The exercise program effectively maintained or improved ability to perform ADL, cognitive function, physical performance, and quality of life while reducing frailty in LTNH residents, irrespective of individual characteristics. This highlights the importance of exercise interventions to preserve overall function and wellbeing in this population., Trial Registration: NCT04221724., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This study analyzed the effects of an individualized and progressive multicomponent exercise program on blood pressure, cardiorespiratory fitness, and body composition in long-term care residents. This was a single-blind, multicenter, randomized controlled trial performed in 10 long-term care settings and involved 112 participants. Participants were randomly assigned to a control group or an intervention group. The control group participated in routine activities; the intervention group participated in a six-month individualized and progressive multicomponent exercise program focused on strength, balance, and walking recommendations. The intervention group maintained peak VO 2 , oxygen saturation, and resting heart rate, while the control group showed a significant decrease in peak VO 2 and oxygen saturation and an increase in resting heart rate throughout the six-month period. Individualized and progressive multicomponent exercise programs comprising strength, balance, and walking recommendations appear to be effective in preventing cardiorespiratory fitness decline in older adults living in long-term care settings., Competing Interests: Declaration of Interest None., (Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Exercise interventions improve physical fitness, cognitive and affective function, and quality of life among nursing home residents. However, little is known regarding the consequences of cessation of activity, or detraining. We analyzed physical fitness, physical activity level, cognitive function, quality of life, and loneliness during a 6-month observational follow-up after a 6-month randomized controlled trial in which nursing home residents performed either routine activities (control group) or group-based exercise (intervention group). The intervention group showed an important decline in most physical fitness and cognitive function parameters after a 6-month detraining period. These results highlight the importance of recreation as part of residents' care needs, and exercise should therefore be implemented continuously., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)