Effects of Isolation and Social Distancing on the Fragility of Older People and the Physical Activities They Perform

Introduction: The association between reduced physical activity and social isolation has been described in the literature, but the relationship between the level of adherence to protective measures among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects of physical inactivity on frailty remains a significant knowledge gap. Objective: To analyze the effects of social distancing and isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on frailty in the elderly and on their physical activities in primary health care in a basic health unit in Brazil. Materials and methods: A prospective cohort study conducted in households and basic health units. In the first wave, before the pandemic, the sample consisted of non-frail elderly (n = 168). After a mean follow-up of 762 days, a second wave was conducted in which the elderly were classified according to their level of exposure to social distancing and isolation (n = 100) and the outcomes “level of physical activity” and “frailty status” were observed. Sociodemographic and clinical questionnaires, the Mini-Mental State Examination, physical markers of frailty, and level of exposure to social distancing and isolation were used. Descriptive statistics, association, survival curves, and proportional hazards regression were used. Results: Of the elderly, 53% transitioned to pre-frailty and 21% showed a decrease in physical activity. There was a high percentage of low adherence to social distancing and isolation, and there was no association with physical activity and frailty (p = 0.288; p = 0.351, respectively). Women had a higher risk of being classified as pre-frail or frail (2.53; 95% CI, 1.01-6.34) and of having a decrease in physical activity (2.13; 95% CI, 1.06-4.26). Conclusion: There was no association between protective measures of social distancing and isolation, physical activity, and frailty. Older people with reduced levels of physical activity should be encouraged to exercise to remain active and avoid the transition to frailty, functional decline, and dependency.