{
  "id": 18362196,
  "title": "Old but not frail: Seniors share how exercise and friendships keep them strong",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/old-but-not-frail-seniors-share-how-exercise-and-friendships-keep",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-05T20:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Straits Times",
    "slug": "straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/old-but-not-frail-seniors-share-how-exercise-and-friendships-keep-them-strong"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Most seniors view frailty as an inevitable aspect of aging, according to a recent survey. Experts assert that remaining active, consuming a balanced diet, and maintaining social connections can help delay this condition. Joseph Wong, a 61-year-old retiree, sprained his ankle in June 2025, which took over two weeks to heal compared to the usual day or two. He attributes this extended recovery time to the effects of aging. However, Professor Wang Yibin, a cardiovascular and metabolic disorders expert, explains that frailty is a condition where the body becomes less capable of recovering from illness, injury, or stress. Frailty can manifest in three ways: physical, functional, and cognitive/psychological. Physical frailty involves a decline in muscle mass and strength, making movement more difficult. Functional frailty occurs when individuals fall ill more frequently and take longer to recover. Cognitive and psychological frailty impacts memory, thinking, mood, and stress management. To prevent frailty, Wang suggests building muscle mass and strength through regular exercise, as muscles play a crucial role in various organ functions, including metabolic health. Staying active is one of the most effective ways to combat frailty. Trindy Ho, a 63-year-old volunteer, dedicates her Tuesdays to a workout at a wholesale center, where she stacks heavy cartons of produce and covers about 8,000 steps. She also volunteers for various causes and participates in ballroom dance classes and Zumba sessions to stay fit and engaged.",
  "summary": "Staying active and connected can help keep frailty at bay.",
  "key_points": [
    "Seniors view frailty as an inevitable part of aging.",
    "Regular exercise and social connections help delay frailty.",
    "Professor Wang suggests building muscle through exercise to combat frailty."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}