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The Role of Physical Activity and Exercise in Enhancing Resilience and Delaying Frailty in Saudi Arabia

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Frailty is a major public health concern among older adults, leading to increased morbidity and functional decline. Physical activity and psychological resilience have been identified as potential protective factors against frailty, yet their combined effects remain understudied in Saudi Arabia. Objective: This study aimed to examine the associations between physical activity, resilience, and frailty among older adults in Riyadh. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 240 elderly participants aged 60 years and above. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), frailty was measured using the Fried Frailty Phenotype, and resilience was evaluated with the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10). Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify correlates of frailty. Results: Higher physical activity levels were significantly associated with greater resilience (r = 0.61, p = 0.002) and lower frailty (OR = 0.64, p = 0.002). Advancing age, multiple comorbidities, and poor self-rated health were positively associated with frailty, while greater grip strength was inversely associated with it (OR = 0.67, p = 0.002). Conclusions: Physical activity and resilience appear to be independently associated with reduced odds of frailty among older adults in Riyadh. These findings underscore the potential benefits of integrated physical and psychological health strategies in promoting healthy aging. However, due to the cross-sectional design, causal relationships cannot be inferred. Longitudinal and intervention-based studies are needed to further explore these associations.

Source: Healthcare

DOI: 10.3390/healthcare13121461

Authors: Abdulaziz M. Alodhialah, Ashwaq A. Almutairi, Mohammed Almutairi

Institutions: King Saud University, Monash University

Language: English

Topic: Frailty in Older Adults

Subfield: Geriatrics and Gerontology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,258