The study – published in the official journal of the British Geriatrics Society, Age and Ageing – shows how a combination of simple strength exercises and dietary changes could help stop frailty and enhance physical resilience in those aged over 65.
Professor Marie-Therese Cooney, senior co-author and consultant geriatrician at St Vincent’s University Hospital, said: “The practical and easily deployed approach could yield substantial benefits if rolled out across the community.”
“Most people believe frailty is inevitable and irreversible as we age,” said Dr John Travers, a general practitioner who led the research at UCD.
“It is never too late to start appropriate exercise,” said Dr Travers.
“The older we get, the more important this becomes. This study offers hope and strong evidence that people can achieve higher levels of resilience than previously thought possible.”
Source: The Argus