Physical activity and frailty in older adults in Salasaka, Ecuador: A cross-sectional study

Population aging poses new challenges for health systems, particularly in relation to frailty, a syndrome associated with decreased physiological reserve, greater clinical vulnerability, and progressive loss of functional autonomy. In this context, physical activity constitutes a modifiable component of healthy aging; however, the available evidence in rural and intercultural populations in Latin America remains limited, especially in Indigenous communities where daily movement practices reflect distinct territorial and cultural dynamics. This study aimed to evaluate the association between physical activity level and frailty syndrome in older adults in Salasaka parish, Pelileo canton, Ecuador, as well as to describe their functional and sociodemographic profile. A quantitative, nonexperimental, cross-sectional, correlational-analytical study was conducted in a sample of 84 adults over 65 years of age. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), frailty using the Fried phenotype, and functional capacity using the Barthel and Lawton-Brody indices. The results showed that 53.6 % had moderate physical activity, 29.8 % low, and 16.7 % high; while 28.6 % were classified as frail and 27.4 % as prefrail. A significant association was found between physical activity and frailty, with higher odds of frailty among those with low physical activity ( 2.86–24.28). The inverse relationship remained after excluding the physical activity component from the Fried phenotype. The findings suggest the importance of integrating the assessment of physical activity, frailty, and functioning into community care for older adults, taking into account the cultural particularities of the territory.