Geriatric Fitness — all lessons
Module 1: Foundations
Introduction to geriatric fitness and the specialist’s rolePhysiology of ageing: sarcopenia, dynapenia, osteopeniaAge-related conditions, multimorbidity and frailtyModule 2: Assessment & Screening
Health screening, risk stratification and medicationsFunctional fitness assessment: SFT, SPPB, TUG, gait speed, gripModule 3: Programming
Principles of programming: FITT-VP, progression, periodisationResistance and power training for sarcopeniaCardiovascular and aerobic conditioningBalance, mobility and fall preventionFlexibility, functional mobility and ADL trainingModule 4: Chronic Conditions
Cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions (HTN, CAD, HF, COPD)Metabolic conditions in older adultsMusculoskeletal: osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, joint replacementNeurological and cognitive: Parkinson’s, stroke, MS, dementiaModule 5: Coaching, Safety & Business
Nutrition, hydration and recovery for older adultsBehavioural coaching, communication and adherenceSafety, emergencies and scope of practiceBusiness, settings and career pathwaysCase studies and sample programme templatesAge-related conditions, multimorbidity and frailty
Common age-related conditions, multimorbidity, the frailty phenotype and how exercise prevents and treats frailty.
Learning objectives
- Define multimorbidity and frailty
- Apply the Fried frailty phenotype
- Explain the role of exercise in frailty
- Plan around multiple conditions
Before this lesson
Why this matters
Frailty predicts falls, hospitalisation and loss of independence — but it can be prevented and improved.
Multimorbidity
Many older adults live with several conditions (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, osteoarthritis), each with medications and precautions.
Frailty phenotype [fried2001]
| Criterion | Example measure |
|---|---|
| Unintentional weight loss | ~4.5 kg+ in past year |
| Exhaustion | Self-report |
| Weakness | Low grip strength |
| Slow walking | Slow gait speed |
| Low activity | Low energy expenditure |
3+ = frail; 1–2 = pre-frail.
Exercise
Multicomponent exercise with progressive resistance, balance and aerobic work [izquierdo2021] [chodzko2009].
Common mistakes and misconceptions
Case study
An 83-year-old meets three frailty criteria. A supervised programme twice weekly for 16 weeks improves grip, gait speed and energy; she now meets only one criterion.
Further learning: video lessons
Video links are only marked “verified” after a human has watched them. Unverified entries open a YouTube search for that channel and topic rather than a guessed link.
Age-related conditions, multimorbidity and frailty
geriatric exercise specialists and physiotherapists (search)
You will understand: age-related conditions, multimorbidity and frailty
Why: Clinician-led content; verify the specific video.
Exercise for healthy ageing
geriatric medicine educators (search)
You will understand: why exercise matters in later life
Why: Clinical overview.
Knowledge check
Knowledge check · 0/5
1. Frailty (Fried) requires how many criteria?
2. A Fried criterion is…
3. Multimorbidity means…
4. The ICFSR recommends for frailty…
5. Frailty is…
Short-answer & application questions
- Screen a fictional client using the Fried criteria.
- Plan exercise for a client with three conditions.
- Explain frailty to family members.
Key takeaways
- Multimorbidity — two or more chronic conditions — is common in older adults.
- The Fried phenotype defines frailty as 3+ of: weight loss, exhaustion, weakness, slow walking and low activity.
- Multicomponent exercise, especially resistance training, is central to preventing and treating frailty.
- Plan around the most limiting condition while targeting overall function.
Connected topics
Health screening, risk stratification and medications
geriatric fitnessFunctional fitness assessment: SFT, SPPB, TUG, gait speed, grip
metabolic healthExercise recommendations summary
References
- Fried LP, Tangen CM, Walston J, et al. (2001). Frailty in older adults: evidence for a phenotype. Journals of Gerontology Series A, 56(3):M146–M156. Cohort check pending
- Izquierdo M, Merchant RA, Morley JE, et al. (2021). International exercise recommendations in older adults (ICFSR): expert consensus guidelines. Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, 25(7):824–853. Guideline check pending
- Chodzko-Zajko WJ, Proctor DN, Fiatarone Singh MA, et al. (2009). American College of Sports Medicine position stand: exercise and physical activity for older adults. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 41(7):1510–1530. Position stand check pending
Educational content only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis or treatment.