Resistance Training on Elderly Resilience

Hong Kong Baptist University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Activity, Motor; Age Problem; Healthy Aging

Treatments: Behavioral: Eight-form Yang-style Tai Chi program; Behavioral: Resistance training

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04690465

GRF Ref: 12610119

Details and patient eligibility

About

Background: There is on one hand sufficient evidence showing strong association between resilience and self-rated successful aging. On the other hand, strength training could contribute the cultivation of resilience among older adults. Therefore, the current study aims to examine the effectiveness of resistance training on resilience among Chinese older adults in Hong Kong.

Methods: This study will apply a three-group, double blinded (outcome assessors and data analysts), randomized controlled trial (RCT) to examine the effectiveness of the interventions on resilience, functional fitness, and health related quality of life immediately after a 16-week intervention, as well as the residual effects 12 weeks after completion of the interventions.

Discussion: It is expected that resistance training is promising or even superior to aerobic training in the improvement of resilience. Given the limited evidence on the literature, it is urgently needed to explore the effects of resistance training on the improvement of resilience in older adults. Findings of the current study can contribute to the development of effective resistant training programs for the promotion of resilience among older adults.

Enrollment: 150 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 65 to 74 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• 65 to 74 years old;
• capable to walk without assistive device;
• apparently healthy and live independently in communities

Exclusion criteria

• with cardiovascular or related diseases that prevent from resistance training;
• fail the PAR-Q screening or without physician's advice on readiness of participation in resistance training;
• with substantial experience in practicing resistance training or Tai Chi;
• with high level of resilience.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Health Services Research

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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150 participants in 3 patient groups

Resistance training

Experimental group

Description:

In the 16 week resistance training, there will be 3 sessions per week, the duration of each session will be 60 minutes, which include 10min of warm-up, 40min of main exercise, and 10min of cool-down. The intensity will be light to somewhat hard (Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) 11 to 13; using the Cantonese version of RPE). In resistance training, the weights (resistance) will be from participants' own bodies, dumbbells, and adjustable ankle weights.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Resistance training

Eight-form Yang-style Tai Chi program

Active Comparator group

Description:

In Tai Chi, the 16-week program will be divided into cognitive, associated, and automatic stages. The coach will apply a group teaching with individual instruction on specific movements based on participant's needs in skills learning and acquisition. The same training principles of individuality and progression as well as training log-book used in resistance training will also be applied to Tai Chi training program.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Eight-form Yang-style Tai Chi program

Non-treatment Concurrent Control

No Intervention group

Description:

Participants in this group will not participate in any specific intervention during the whole study (the 16-week intervention and 12-week follow-up periods), but they will be asked to keep a daily log on their physical activity, medicine used, illness, diet, sleep quality and other health and physical activity related information (e.g., attending healthy eating workshops).