Physical function (i.e. including several variables as Gait Speed, Balance, mobility and muscle strength) is currently being proposed as biomarkers of healthy-aging in humans, predictive of adverse health events, disability, and mortality, as well as, commonly used as functional outcomes for clinical trials. For these reasons, functional ability, retaining autonomy and independence as people age is the cornerstone of healthy aging, a term established by World Health Organization in its first world report on aging and health.
Physical inactivity has been argued as a key factor contributing to the onset of muscle mass and function decline (i.e, sarcopenia), which in turn appears to be a vital aspect related to frailty. Deterioration in muscular strength and mass, cardiovascular resistance and balance leads to a decrease in daily life activities, a higher risk of falling and a loss of independence, among other consequences. Physical inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle is one of the primary factors in the loss and deterioration of muscular function.
The effects of exercise are potentially similar to those that can be achieved with medication ad even better with barely any adverse effects when aiming to prevent cardiovascular disease, decrease the risk of death, prevent diabetes, obesity and improved muscular function and quality of life. Multi-component physical exercise programs and, in particular, strength training are the most effective interventions for delaying disability and other adverse events. Likewise, their use has been proven in other fields frequently associated with this syndrome such as falls, cognitive deterioration and depression. Multicomponent physical exercise programs are fundamental to maintaining mobility, musculoskeletal function and optimal function of other body systems: neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory, and endocrine. As a consequence, it is worth promoting healthy and dignified ageing by helping countries to make their health systems more efficient to implement pilot programs that can interact directly with frail older patients, aiming to measure the response to multicomponent sport exercise programs for tackling late-life disability.