Efficacy of a multicomponent exercise training program intervention in community-dwelling older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cluster randomized controlled trial

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused changes in lifestyle for older adults such as reduced physical activity and community participation. Community activity centers were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 82) or control arm (n = 85). The intervention comprised one 60 min group exercise session per week in weeks 1–8 and an online home exercise program in weeks 9–16. Physical activity, physical performance, and prefrailty rates were assessed at baseline and 16 weeks. At 16 weeks, compared to the control arm, the intervention arm exhibited improved (p < 0.05) leisure-time physical activity (phi = 0.571), vigorous physical activity (phi = 0.534), and moderate–vigorous physical activity (phi = 0.344); prefrailty rates (phi = 0.179); and short physical performance battery results (η(2)(p) = 0.113). The intervention thus effectively improved physical activity levels, physical performance, and prefrailty rates in community-dwelling older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.