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Multicomponent Exercise and Functional Fitness: Strategies for Fall Prevention in Aging Women
Andy Schneider, Luciano Bernardes Leite, José E. Teixeira, Pedro Miguel Forte, Tiago M. Barbosa, António M. Monteiro. Sports, 2025-05-24
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Aging is associated with physiological changes that increase the risk of falls, impacting functional independence and quality of life. Multicomponent exercise training has emerged as an effective strategy for mitigating these risks by enhancing strength, balance, flexibility, and aerobic capacity. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a 30-week multicomponent training program on functional fitness and fall prevention in older women. A parallel, single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted with 40 participants (aged ≥ 65 years), divided into an exercise group and a control group. The intervention combined strength, balance, coordination, and aerobic training, following international exercise guidelines for older adults. Functional fitness was assessed using validated tests, including the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, lower limb strength, flexibility, and aerobic endurance measures. Results demonstrated significant improvements in the intervention group, particularly in TUG performance (p < 0.001), lower limb strength (p < 0.001), and flexibility (p < 0.05), indicating enhanced mobility and reduced fall risk. These findings reinforce the importance of structured, multicomponent training programs for aging populations, particularly women, who experience greater musculoskeletal decline due to menopause-related hormonal changes. Future research should explore long-term retention of benefits and optimize intervention strategies. This study highlights the critical role of tailored exercise programs in promoting active aging, improving functional capacity, and reducing healthcare burdens associated with fall-related injuries.
Key findings
- Aging is associated with physiological changes that increase the risk of falls, impacting functional independence and quality of life.
- Results demonstrated significant improvements in the intervention group, particularly in TUG performance (p < 0.001), lower limb strength (p < 0.001), and flexibility (p < 0.05), indicating enhanced mobility and reduced fall risk.
- These findings reinforce the importance of structured, multicomponent training programs for aging populations, particularly women, who experience greater musculoskeletal decline due to menopause-related hormonal changes.
- This study highlights the critical role of tailored exercise programs in promoting active aging, improving functional capacity, and reducing healthcare burdens associated with fall-related injuries.
Why it matters
This trial tested a 30-week multicomponent exercise program in 40 older women and found significant improvements in mobility, lower limb strength and flexibility, which the authors link to reduced fall risk. It did not measure or report any effect on Alzheimer's disease, dementia or cognitive decline.
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Study details
- Study designrandomized controlled trial
- Participants40
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 59/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a randomised controlled trial. Scored zero for effect reported because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Sports) |
| Journal's citation record | 0 / 4 | Sports: journal h-index 69 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 11 / 12 | A randomised controlled trial |
| Strength of evidence | 5 / 5 | Rated “high” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 1 / 4 | 40 participants |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomised / blinded | 1 / 2 | Randomised (as stated in the record) |
| Times cited | 2 / 7 | Cited 11 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 2 / 5 | 3.7 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 5 / 6 | Cited 24.1× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 1 / 4 | Cited 11 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 1 / 4 | Last-listed author António M. Monteiro: h-index 17 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Universidade Federal de Viçosa: institution h-index 308 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 2 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 4 institution(s) in 2 countries |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 40559671) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 59 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Schneider, A., Leite, L. B., Teixeira, J. E., Forte, P. M., Barbosa, T. M., & Monteiro, A. M. (2025). Multicomponent Exercise and Functional Fitness: Strategies for Fall Prevention in Aging Women. Sports. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13060159
Vancouver
Schneider A, Leite LB, Teixeira JE, Forte PM, Barbosa TM, Monteiro AM. Multicomponent Exercise and Functional Fitness: Strategies for Fall Prevention in Aging Women. Sports. 2025. doi:10.3390/sports13060159. PMID: 40559671.
BibTeX
@article{schneider2025-40559671,
author = {Schneider, Andy and Leite, Luciano Bernardes and Teixeira, José E. and Forte, Pedro Miguel and Barbosa, Tiago M. and Monteiro, António M.},
title = {{Multicomponent Exercise and Functional Fitness: Strategies for Fall Prevention in Aging Women}},
journal = {Sports},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.3390/sports13060159},
pmid = {40559671},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13060159}
}
Studies this one cites
Referenced by this study and also in the alzhub library, so you can read them here.