Frailty, a consequence of the interaction of the aging process and certain chronic diseases, compromises functional outcomes in the elderly and substantially increases their risk for developing disabilities and other adverse outcomes. Frailty follows from the combination of several impaired physiological mechanisms affecting multiple organs and systems. And, though frailty and sarcopenia are related, they are two different conditions. Thus, strategies to preserve or improve functional status should consider systemic function in addition to muscle conditioning. Physical activity/exercise is considered one of the main strategies to counteract frailty-related physical impairment in the elderly. Exercise reduces age-related oxidative damage and chronic inflammation, increases autophagy, and improves mitochondrial function, myokine profile, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) signaling pathway, and insulin sensitivity. Exercise interventions target resistance (strength and power), aerobic, balance, and flexibility work. Each type improves different aspects of physical functioning, though they could be combined according to need and prescribed as a multicomponent intervention. Therefore, exercise intervention programs should be prescribed based on an individual's physical functioning and adapted to the ensuing response.

虚弱是衰老过程和某些慢性疾病相互作用的结果，会损害老年人的功能结果，并大大增加他们发生残疾和其他不良后果的风险。虚弱是由影响多个器官和系统的几种受损的生理机制组合而成的。而且，尽管虚弱和肌肉减少症相关，但它们是两种不同的病症。因此，保持或改善功能状态的策略除了肌肉调节外还应考虑全身功能。体力活动/锻炼被认为是对抗老年人虚弱相关身体损伤的主要策略之一。运动可减少与年龄相关的氧化损伤和慢性炎症，增加自噬，并改善线粒体功能、肌因子谱、胰岛素样生长因子-1 (IGF-1) 信号通路和胰岛素敏感性。运动干预的目标是抵抗（力量和力量）、有氧运动、平衡和灵活性工作。每种类型都可以改善身体机能的不同方面，尽管它们可以根据需要进行组合并作为多成分干预措施进行规定。因此，运动干预计划应根据个人的身体机能制定并适应随后的反应。