South American Sciences · Oct 20, 2026
EFFECTS OF MULTICOMPONENT TRAINING ON THE FUNCTIONAL AUTONOMY OF OLDER ADULTS: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW
By Carvalho RDS, de Senna PM, Vale EGLD
Aging can compromise physical capacities essential for the independent performance of daily activities. This study aimed to analyze the effects of multicomponent training on the functional autonomy of older adults, considering different modalities and intervention settings. An integrative literature review was conducted, searching the PubMed/MEDLINE, Virtual Health Library, and SciELO databases using descriptors related to the older population, multicomponent training, and functional outcomes. A total of 225 records were identified, of which 15 original studies comprised the synthesis after applying the eligibility criteria. Interventions mainly combined strength, balance, endurance, coordination, flexibility, and aerobic exercises, with differences in duration, frequency, and progression. The results indicated predominant improvements in functional capacity, muscle strength, balance, mobility, gait, and physical performance, including among frail and institutionalized older adults, encompassing different clinical conditions and baseline functional levels. However, the benefits were not uniform across outcomes, and some studies did not identify significant changes in independence for activities of daily living or in fall-related indicators. A partial reduction in gains was also observed after periods of detraining. The heterogeneity of protocols and assessment instruments hindered direct comparisons and the identification of an optimal configuration. It is concluded that multicomponent training promotes physical capacities important for the functional autonomy of older adults, but evidence regarding its direct impact on daily independence remains limited. It is recommended to expand studies with specific measures of autonomy, prolonged follow-up, and detailed descriptions of programs, to clarify the transfer of physical gains to daily activities.