Application of the Fitness and Nutrition Program for Seniors (FANS) to improve Physical Activity and Kinanthropometric Measures among Community-Dwelling Older Adults living with Frailty: a Quasi-experimental Study

Abstract Background Due to the impact of COVID-19, telehealth technologies have become crucial for managing the health of community-dwelling older adults with frailty. This study builds upon the Fitness and Nutrition Program for Seniors (FANS), a hybrid course based on the Transtheoretical Model, wh...

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Main Authors: Pei-Shan Li, Chia-Jung Hsieh, Nae-Fang Miao, Chuan-Hsiu Tsai, Chieh-Yu Liu, Hung-Ru Lin, Shu-Fang Vivienne Wu, Jordan Koh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Geriatrics
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06171-6
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author Pei-Shan Li
Chia-Jung Hsieh
Nae-Fang Miao
Chuan-Hsiu Tsai
Chieh-Yu Liu
Hung-Ru Lin
Shu-Fang Vivienne Wu
Jordan Koh
author_facet Pei-Shan Li
Chia-Jung Hsieh
Nae-Fang Miao
Chuan-Hsiu Tsai
Chieh-Yu Liu
Hung-Ru Lin
Shu-Fang Vivienne Wu
Jordan Koh
author_sort Pei-Shan Li
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Due to the impact of COVID-19, telehealth technologies have become crucial for managing the health of community-dwelling older adults with frailty. This study builds upon the Fitness and Nutrition Program for Seniors (FANS), a hybrid course based on the Transtheoretical Model, which integrates both in-person and remote care tailored for this population. This research aimed to investigate the effectiveness of this intervention on physical activity and kinanthropometric measures. Methods This quasi-experimental research involved 81 older adults from community care centers, with 43 in the experimental group receiving the FANS and 38 in the control group continuing their usual health activities. Outcome measures, evaluated using intention-to-treat analysis, included physical activity (assessed with the Short Physical Performance Battery, grip strength, Timed Up and Go test, and overall activity level) and kinanthropometric measures (body mass index, mid-upper arm circumference, and calf circumference). Changes over 3 and 6 months were analyzed using Generalized Estimating Equations. Result The intervention group exhibited significant improvements in all physical activity measures (p < 0.001) and mid-upper arm circumference (p < 0.001) immediately and over time. The study identified significant differences between the two groups in physical activity on the Short Physical Performance Battery, which increased by 0.66 points (p < 0.05), Five Times Sit to Stand test, which was 1.83 s faster (p < 0.05), Timed Up and Go test, which was 2.63 s faster (p < 0.001), and physical activity levels, which increased by 6.47 MET/hr (p < 0.001). Additionally, kinanthropometric measurements, such as mid-upper arm circumference, which increased by 2.28 cm (p < 0.001), and calf circumference, which increased by 1.34 cm (p < 0.01), also showed significant differences. Significant interactions (group × time) were observed between the FTSST (Wald χ 2  = 5.103, p < 0.05) and PA level (Wald χ 2  = 4.080, p < 0.05) after three months. Additionally, significant interactions were found for the TUG (Wald χ 2  = 6.856, p < 0.01), PA level (Wald χ 2  = 34.888, p < 0.001), MUAC (Wald χ 2  = 19.695, p < 0.001), and CC (Wald χ 2  = 10.181, p < 0.01) after six months. Conclusion The FANS proved to be a viable and effective health promotion program, significantly enhancing physical function and body measurements among frail older adults, thereby supporting their independence and well-being. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT05242549 (16/02/2022).
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spelling doaj-art-10b6df6c8cb045fc9fc03890c6ab20682025-08-20T03:06:04ZengBMCBMC Geriatrics1471-23182025-07-0125111510.1186/s12877-025-06171-6Application of the Fitness and Nutrition Program for Seniors (FANS) to improve Physical Activity and Kinanthropometric Measures among Community-Dwelling Older Adults living with Frailty: a Quasi-experimental StudyPei-Shan Li0Chia-Jung Hsieh1Nae-Fang Miao2Chuan-Hsiu Tsai3Chieh-Yu Liu4Hung-Ru Lin5Shu-Fang Vivienne Wu6Jordan Koh7Department of Long-Term Care, College of Health Technology, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health SciencesSchool of Nursing, College of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health SciencesPost-Baccalaureate Program in Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical UniversityDepartment of Nursing, Tzu Chi UniversityInstitute of Community Health Care, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung UniversitySchool of Nursing, College of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health SciencesSchool of Nursing, College of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health SciencesBon Vivant Health Lifestyle Management Co., LTD.Abstract Background Due to the impact of COVID-19, telehealth technologies have become crucial for managing the health of community-dwelling older adults with frailty. This study builds upon the Fitness and Nutrition Program for Seniors (FANS), a hybrid course based on the Transtheoretical Model, which integrates both in-person and remote care tailored for this population. This research aimed to investigate the effectiveness of this intervention on physical activity and kinanthropometric measures. Methods This quasi-experimental research involved 81 older adults from community care centers, with 43 in the experimental group receiving the FANS and 38 in the control group continuing their usual health activities. Outcome measures, evaluated using intention-to-treat analysis, included physical activity (assessed with the Short Physical Performance Battery, grip strength, Timed Up and Go test, and overall activity level) and kinanthropometric measures (body mass index, mid-upper arm circumference, and calf circumference). Changes over 3 and 6 months were analyzed using Generalized Estimating Equations. Result The intervention group exhibited significant improvements in all physical activity measures (p < 0.001) and mid-upper arm circumference (p < 0.001) immediately and over time. The study identified significant differences between the two groups in physical activity on the Short Physical Performance Battery, which increased by 0.66 points (p < 0.05), Five Times Sit to Stand test, which was 1.83 s faster (p < 0.05), Timed Up and Go test, which was 2.63 s faster (p < 0.001), and physical activity levels, which increased by 6.47 MET/hr (p < 0.001). Additionally, kinanthropometric measurements, such as mid-upper arm circumference, which increased by 2.28 cm (p < 0.001), and calf circumference, which increased by 1.34 cm (p < 0.01), also showed significant differences. Significant interactions (group × time) were observed between the FTSST (Wald χ 2  = 5.103, p < 0.05) and PA level (Wald χ 2  = 4.080, p < 0.05) after three months. Additionally, significant interactions were found for the TUG (Wald χ 2  = 6.856, p < 0.01), PA level (Wald χ 2  = 34.888, p < 0.001), MUAC (Wald χ 2  = 19.695, p < 0.001), and CC (Wald χ 2  = 10.181, p < 0.01) after six months. Conclusion The FANS proved to be a viable and effective health promotion program, significantly enhancing physical function and body measurements among frail older adults, thereby supporting their independence and well-being. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT05242549 (16/02/2022).https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06171-6FrailtyOlder adultsFitnessNutritionPhysical activityKinanthropometric measures
spellingShingle Pei-Shan Li
Chia-Jung Hsieh
Nae-Fang Miao
Chuan-Hsiu Tsai
Chieh-Yu Liu
Hung-Ru Lin
Shu-Fang Vivienne Wu
Jordan Koh
Application of the Fitness and Nutrition Program for Seniors (FANS) to improve Physical Activity and Kinanthropometric Measures among Community-Dwelling Older Adults living with Frailty: a Quasi-experimental Study
BMC Geriatrics
Frailty
Older adults
Fitness
Nutrition
Physical activity
Kinanthropometric measures
title Application of the Fitness and Nutrition Program for Seniors (FANS) to improve Physical Activity and Kinanthropometric Measures among Community-Dwelling Older Adults living with Frailty: a Quasi-experimental Study
title_full Application of the Fitness and Nutrition Program for Seniors (FANS) to improve Physical Activity and Kinanthropometric Measures among Community-Dwelling Older Adults living with Frailty: a Quasi-experimental Study
title_fullStr Application of the Fitness and Nutrition Program for Seniors (FANS) to improve Physical Activity and Kinanthropometric Measures among Community-Dwelling Older Adults living with Frailty: a Quasi-experimental Study
title_full_unstemmed Application of the Fitness and Nutrition Program for Seniors (FANS) to improve Physical Activity and Kinanthropometric Measures among Community-Dwelling Older Adults living with Frailty: a Quasi-experimental Study
title_short Application of the Fitness and Nutrition Program for Seniors (FANS) to improve Physical Activity and Kinanthropometric Measures among Community-Dwelling Older Adults living with Frailty: a Quasi-experimental Study
title_sort application of the fitness and nutrition program for seniors fans to improve physical activity and kinanthropometric measures among community dwelling older adults living with frailty a quasi experimental study
topic Frailty
Older adults
Fitness
Nutrition
Physical activity
Kinanthropometric measures
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06171-6
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