Prevention of physical frailty

Aging is associated with continuous changes in strength and physical functioning. Different factors contribute to these changes at different ages. For discussion purposes, it is useful to identify 4 adult stages that lay the ground work for disability: (1) Early adulthood where maximal performance is reached, (2) Late early adulthood where earliest changes begin with slowing of reactions, (3) Middle age with slow declines in strength and coordination, and (4) Older age with more dramatic and greater functional changes. Preventive strategies can be applied at each stage including exercise, diet, health habits, injury prevention, environmental and social adjustments. Interventions can focus on the person or their environment, and should consider the unique needs of each life stage, particularly middle aged and elderly. They should be acceptable to the average individual who is not health conscious, and should stimulate motivation toward safer and healthier lifestyles