Background: Fitness training can prevent disease related comorbidity and Complication. To establish an evidence based fitness training program in community was very important but not available now in Taiwan.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of physical fitness training on balance ability in community elders in Taiwan.

Methods: This study included people ages 65 and above in Taiwan. All subjects was evaluated by Screen of Frailty scale and assigned to three groups according to scores: no frailty, pre-frailty and frailty group. The elderly was arranged fitness training 3 times per week and received totally 12 times of training within 4 weeks. The fitness training included: cardiopulmonary training, muscle endurance training, flexibility training, and balance training. At baseline before intervention and 4 weeks later, we evaluate Montreal cognitive assessment-Taiwan version, Timed Up and Go test (TUG), 30-second sit-to-stand test, Berg balance test, Barthel index, and instrumental activities of daily living scale.

Results: This study screened 298 people, and 190 people(63.8%) were classified as no frailty, 69 people (23.1%) as pre-frailty, and 39 people (13.1%) as frailty. There were 31 included participants in no frailty group, 30 ones in pre-frailty group, and 19 ones in frailty group. Most of the three group participants lived with their family, and the most chronic disease was hypertension, and cancer was the second. Episodes of fall within this year was upmost in frailty group (47%). After 12 times intervention, significant improvement was noted in TUG (P<0.05) among no frailty group. Among pre-frailty group, significant improvement was noted in TUG, Montreal cognitive assessment, and Berg balance test (P<0.05). Among frailty group, significant improvement was noted in 30-second sit-to-stand test (P<0.01).

Conclusions: Taiwan has shifted into an aging society, and we have to face more frailty related symptoms and signs. This study showed fitness training among community elders can improve motor performance and cognitive function, which may further prevent frailty and fall risk. Fitness training has more benefit for elders with pre-frailty than elders with frailty. Regular screen and intervention of fitness programs is very important to prevent frailty and fall risk.