Exercise & Fitness

Combined Exercise and Nutrition Interventions Boost Physical Function in Nursing Home Residents

As populations age, more older adults are living in long-term care facilities where physical decline and malnutrition are common. This systematic review examined seven studies testing combined lifestyle interventions — pairing physical exercise (resistance, balance, or multicomponent training) with nutritional supplementation or education — in adults aged 65 and older residing in care homes. Programs lasting 7 to 26 weeks generally improved gait speed, muscle strength, and balance. Nutritional status also improved when protein- and energy-enriched supplements were included. However, effects on quality of life were inconsistent across studies, and significant variation in study design made direct comparisons difficult. The findings support combining exercise and nutrition as a feasible and beneficial strategy for institutionalized older adults, though more standardized, longer-term trials are needed to establish best practices.