Abstract

Background Wearable technologies focused on maintaining strength in older people are limited. A low-cost smart legging for daily use was developed, designed to stimulate the lower limbs through focal muscle vibration. The objective was to determine the effect of Myoviber (R) Smart Leggings with focal muscle vibration devices (MSLv) on knee extensor muscle strength in older people. The effect on participants with or without frailty was also determined. Methods Randomized, controlled experimental design. Healthy older people from the community (sample size analyzed, n = 52), distributed in an experimental group (EG, n = 29; 69 +/- 4 years) treated with MSLv and a control group (CG, n = 23; 69 +/- 4 years) treated with sham MSLv. Both groups used the respective MSLv at home for 30 days, for three continuous hours. Three 10 min doses of MSLv were administered along with the activities of daily living guide. Knee extensor strength was measured with a transducer before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed with two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc test. Results Muscle strength increased in both groups post-intervention, with a significant relative increase in the EG (p < 0.01) but not in the CG (p = 0.225). Participants classified as having pre-frailty or frailty conditions in the EG showed greater strength gains than their counterparts in the CG (p < 0.05). Conclusion The use of MSLv increases knee extensor muscle strength in older people, particularly those with pre-frailty or frailty conditions. MSLv is an innovative, practical solution that integrates health technologies for older adults.