Objective To explore the effects of multi-component exercise intervention (MET) based on different rates of resistance training on physical function and depression status in elderly patients with frailty. Methods Eighty hospitalized elderly patients with frailty in the Geriatric Department were randomly divided into control group (n=40) and study group (n=40). The elderly patients with frailty in the control group received routine medical intervention, while those in the study group received MET on the basis of the control group. According to the principle of random allocation, the study group was further divided into high-resistance group (n=20) and low-resistance group (n=20). The high-resistance group performed three sets of resistance training at 75% of the one-repetition maximum (1RM) intensity, while the low-resistance group performed three sets of resistance training at 45%, 60% and 75% of the 1RM intensity. The changes in 1RM of shoulder, hip, and knee flexion and extension activities were compared among the three groups before and after the intervention; the scores of the Short-form Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), and the Short-form Quality of Life with 12 items (SF-12) were also compared among the three groups before and after the intervention. Results After the intervention, the 1RM of joint activities in the high-resistance group was significantly higher than that in the low-resistance group and the control group, and the 1RM of joint activities in the low-resistance group was also significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). After the intervention, the SPPB score in the high-resistance group was significantly higher than that in the low-resistance group and the control group, and the SPPB score in the low-resistance group was also significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05); the HAMD score in the high-resistance group was significantly lower than that in the low-resistance group and the control group, and the HAMD score in the low-resistance group was also significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). After the intervention, the total Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores in the high-resistance group were significantly higher than those in the low-resistance group and the control group, and the PCS and MCS scores in the low-resistance group were also significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion MET can improve physical function and depression status in elderly patients with frailty, and appropriate increase of the resistance training rate can further enhance the positive effects of MET.