Comparison of the Effects of the Vivifrail and Locotra Exercise Programs on Motor Per-formance and Quality of Life in Older Adults with Locomotive Syndrome

Authors
1 Department of Sport Science, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
2 Nader Rahnama, Professor, Department of Sport Science, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.Phone:09132943148,E_Mail: n.rahnama@spr.ui.ac.ir, Fax:(+98)313 6687572
Abstract
A B S T R A C T

Aims: Aging causes locomotive syndrome, which is characterized by difficulties during this period. The present study compares the effects of the Vivifrail and Locotra exercise programs on motor performance and quality of life in older adults.

Instrument & Methods: 30 elderly individuals aged over 65 from Isfahan was purposefully selected and randomly assigned to either the Vivifrail group (N=15) or the Locotra group (N=15). The intervention lasted eight weeks, during which pre- and post-tests were conducted using the Timed Up and Go test, Loco-check questionnaire, and the OPQOL-35 questionnaire. Analysis of covariance was utilized to compare the effects of the two exercise programs, controlling for pre-test values(P<0/05).

Findings: The results showed that the effect of the pre-test variable on OPQOL scores, loco-check scores, and TUG was significant on the post-test values (p < 0.001). After controlling for the effect of the pre-test, there was no significant difference in the average post-test OPQOL scores (p = 0.622, η² = 0.011) and TUG time (p = 0.064, η² = 0.141) between the elderly individuals in the two groups. However, a significant difference was observed in the Loco-Check questionnaire scores between the elderly individuals in the two groups (p = 0.034, η² = 0.181).

Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of structured exercise programs in improving physical capacity and addressing locomotive syndrome among older adults. While Vivifrail and Locotra demonstrated benefits, their varying effects on specific outcomes indicate the need for targeted interventions.

Keywords

Subjects


1. Tran M, Reddy PH. Defective autophagy and mitophagy in aging and Alzheimer’s disease. FIN. 2021;14:612757.
2. Organization WH. Ageing and Health. 2020.
3. Tucker E, Luscombe-Marsh N, Ambrosi C, Lushington K. Nutritional status and quality-of-life of older adults in aged care: A systematic review and meta-analysis. EG. 2022;162:111764.
4. Chan AKY, Tamrakar M, Jiang CM, Lo ECM, Leung KCM, Chu C-H. Common Medical and Dental Problems of Older Adults: A Narrative Review. Geriatrics. 2021;6(3):76.
5. Cheever CR, Shams RB, Willingham KR, Sim H, Cook LM, Ahmidouch MY, et al. Understanding constipation as a geriatric syndrome. GN. 2025;61:440-8.
6. Wang L-Y, Hu Z-y, Chen H-x, Tang M-l, Hu X-y. Multiple geriatric syndromes in community-dwelling older adults in China. SR. 2024;14(1):3504.
7. Calafat M, Kochar B, Ananthakrishnan AN. A comprehensive review of geriatric syndromes and assessment in older adults with inflammatory bowel diseases.CGAH. 2025.
8. Ikemoto T, Inoue M, Nakata M, Miyagawa H, Shimo K, Wakabayashi T, et al. Locomotive syndrome is associated not only with physical capacity but also degree of depression. JOOS. 2016;21(3):361-5.
9. Sadeghimahalli N, Hosseini MA, Rahgozar M, Norouzi Tabrizi K. Locomotive Syndrome in the Elderly and Its Risk Factors. Salmand: IJOA. 2019;13(5):604-13.
10. Nakamura K, Ogata T. Locomotive syndrome: definition and management. CRIBAMM. 2016;14:56-67.
11. Muramoto A, Imagama S, Ito Z, Hirano K, Ishiguro N, Hasegawa Y. Physical performance tests are useful for evaluating and monitoring the severity of locomotive syndrome. JOOS. 2012;17:782-8.
12. Veley A, Degen M, Rimmer L, Collins L, Dorocicz I, Smith J, et al. Do measures of physical capacity and walking self-efficacy relate to frailty in older adults with difficulty walking outdoors? A secondary data analysis. DAR. 2024;46(17):3905-12.
13. Lamb SE, Keene DJ. Measuring physical capacity and performance in older people. BPARCR. 2017;31(2):243-54.
14. Ikemoto T, Arai Y-C. Locomotive syndrome: clinical perspectives. CIIA. 2018:819-27.
15. Akai M, Doi T, Seichi A, Okuma Y, Ogata T, Iwaya T. Locomotive syndrome: operational definition based on a questionnaire, and exercise interventions on mobility dysfunction in elderly people. CRIBAMM. 2016;14:119-30.
16. Kikuchi C, Yamaguchi K, Kojima M, Asai H, Nakao R, Otake Y, et al. Comparative trial of the effects of continuous locomotion training provided at pharmacies: a pilot study. JOPHCAS. 2020;6(1):24.
17. Sánchez-Sánchez JL, de Souto Barreto P, Antón-Rodrigo I, Ramón-Espinoza F, Marín-Epelde I, Sánchez-Latorre M, et al. Effects of a 12-week Vivifrail exercise program on intrinsic capacity among frail cognitively impaired community-dwelling older adults: secondary analysis of a multicentre randomised clinical trial. Age and ageing. 2022;51(12):afac303.
18. Casas‐Herrero Á, Saez de Asteasu ML, Antón‐Rodrigo I, Sánchez‐Sánchez JL, Montero‐Odasso M, Marín‐Epelde I, et al. Effects of Vivifrail multicomponent intervention on functional capacity: a multicentre, randomized controlled trial. JOCSAM. 2022;13(2):884-93.
19. Zhou J, Yao Q, Han R, De Bock P, Vassard-Yu G, Hallemans A, Van Laer L. Reliability and validity of instrumented timed up and go test in typical adults and elderly: a systematic review. AOPMAR. 2025.
20. Aslankhani MA, Farsi A, Fathirezaie Z, Zamani Sani SH, Aghdasi MT. Validity and reliability of the timed up and go and the anterior functional reach tests in evaluating fall risk in the elderly. Iranian Journal of Ageing. 2015;10(1):16-25.
21. Bilotta C, Bowling A, Nicolini P, Casè A, Pina G, Rossi SV, Vergani C. Older People's Quality of Life (OPQOL) scores and adverse health outcomes at a one-year follow-up. A prospective cohort study on older outpatients living in the community in Italy. HAQOLO. 2011;9:1-10.
22. Nikkhah M, Heravi-Karimooi M, Montazeri A, Rejeh N, Sharif Nia H. Psychometric properties the Iranian version of older People’s quality of life questionnaire (OPQOL). HAQOLO. 2018;16:1-10.
23. Kobayashi T, Morimoto T, Shimanoe C, Ono R, Otani K, Mawatari M. Development of a tool for screening the severity of locomotive syndrome by the loco-check. Journal of Orthopaedic Science. 2022;27(3):701-6.
24. Sadeghi Mahall N, Hoseini M-A, Rahgozar M, Norouzi Tabrizi K. Comparing Psychometric Properties of GLFS-5 With GLFS-25 for Screening Locomotive Syndrome in Community-dwelling Iranian Older People. Iranian Rehabilitation Journal. 2021;19(4):417-24.
25. Keele SW, Cohen A, Ivry R. Motor programs: Concepts and issues. Attention and performance XIII. 2018:77-110.
26. Li G, Li X, Chen L. Personally tailored exercises for improving physical outcomes for older adults in the community: A systematic review. AOGAG. 2022;101:104707.
27. De Sousa RAL, Rocha-Dias I, de Oliveira LRS, Improta-Caria AC, Monteiro-Junior RS, Cassilhas RC. Molecular mechanisms of physical exercise on depression in the elderly: a systematic review. Molecular biology reports. 2021;48:3853-62.
28. Sharma A, Sharma N, Chahal A. Home care program and exercise prescription for improving quality of life in geriatric population with knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JOBAMT. 2024.
29. Li Y, Gao Y, Hu S, Chen H, Zhang M, Yang Y, Liu Y. Effects of multicomponent exercise on the muscle strength, muscle endurance and balance of frail older adults: A meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials. Journal of clinical nursing. 2023;32(9-10):1795-805.
30. Mak TC, Wong TW, Ng SS. Visual-related training to improve balance and walking ability in older adults: A systematic review. Experimental gerontology. 2021;156:111612.
31. Daniela M, Catalina L, Ilie O, Paula M, Daniel-Andrei I, Ioana B. Effects of exercise training on the autonomic nervous system with a focus on anti-inflammatory and antioxidants effects. Antioxidants. 2022;11(2):350.
32. Kim M, Kuruma H, Thawisuk C. The use of elastic band exercise as a physical therapy intervention for improving shoulder function in older adults: a scoping review. JOER. 2021;17(5):313.
33. Grässler B, Thielmann B, Böckelmann I, Hökelmann A. Effects of different exercise interventions on heart rate variability and cardiovascular health factors in older adults: a systematic review. EROAAPA. 2021;18:1-21.
34. Baldelli G, De Santi M, De Felice F, Brandi G. Physical activity interventions to improve the quality of life of older adults living in residential care facilities: a systematic review. Geriatric Nursing. 2021;42(4):806-15.
35. Schwartz BD, Liu H, MacDonald EE, Mekari S, O’Brien MW. Impact of physical activity and exercise training on health-related quality of life in older adults: an umbrella review. GeroScience. 2025:1-15.
36. Wei L, Hu Y, Tao Y, Hu R, Zhang L. The effects of physical exercise on the quality of life of healthy older adults in China: A systematic review. FIP. 2022;13:895373.
37. Zhang S-k, Gu M-l, Zhang T, Xu H, Mao S-j, Zhou W-s. Effects of exercise therapy on disability, mobility, and quality of life in the elderly with chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. JOOSAR. 2023;18(1):513.
38. Alnawwar MA, Alraddadi MI, Algethmi RA, Salem GA, Salem MA, Alharbi AA. The effect of physical activity on sleep quality and sleep disorder: a systematic review. Cureus. 2023;15(8).
39. Kennedy RA, McKenzie G, Holmes C, Shields N. Social support initiatives that facilitate exercise participation in community gyms for people with disability: a scoping review. IJOERAPH. 2022;20(1):699.
40. Rungruangbaiyok C, Ohtsuka H, Lektip C, Nawarat J, Miyake E, Aoki K, et al. Effectiveness of physical therapy for locomotive syndrome: Study protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis. medRxiv. 2024:2024.11. 08.24317013.