The Effect Of A Resistance Exercise Program On Balance Of Elderly People

University of West Attica

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Aging; Aging Well

Treatments: Other: Elastic Band Resistance Exercises

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06040554

UWestAttica

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effectiveness of a resistance exercise program consisting of elastic band exercises to balance, strength and quality of life of community-dwelling elders. The hypothesis of the study is that the people training with elastic bands will show benefits on the aforementioned areas.

Full description

The elderly are, according to research, prone to an accelerated rate of loss of balance, particularly after the age of 60. This loss of balance could translate to injurious falls which could lead to trauma, fear of falling or even hospitalization. It has been shown in multiple studies that strength training can provide health benefits to the general population improving strength, balance, postural control, bone health and quality of life.

Elastic band exercises could be applied to a number of different settings due to the comparably low cost of equipment and due to the easiness of handling the equipment. In previous studies, elastic band exercise programs, varied in design, have been shown to provide multiple benefits to elderly people. In this study, it is proposed that in a Community Center for Elderly People, which are widely established in Greece, a group of eligible community dwelling elderly could exercise under supervision using elastic bands in a group setting.

The recruitment will take place in a Community Center for Elders. A group of people aged over 65, able and cleared to participate in strength training will participate. Information sheet and consent form will be provided to all participants. A pilot randomized intervention study is designed to assess the efficacy of elastic band resistance training as means to improve balance, strength and quality of life where the sample will be randomized to one of two following study groups:

1. exercise program group (intervention group)
2. no change of activities of daily living (control group)

Assessment will be obtained in two-time periods: prior to the program and after the program.

The exercise program will take place twice-weekly for eight weeks.

Participants will be assessed using Berg Balance Scale, Gait Speed, Timed Up and Go, 30 Seconds Chair Stand Test, Handgrip Strength, Knee Extensors and Flexors Strength, Fall Efficacy Scale.

Enrollment: 20 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 65 to 90 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Over 65 years old
• Able to consent to participation
• Able to stand without assistive devices
• Able to participate in strength training
• Able to perform activities of Daily Living independently
• Cognitively and psychologically able to participate in a group setting

Exclusion criteria

• Systematically exercised for up to 6 months prior to start of study
• Neurological disorders or inability to stand
• Recent surgery or contraindications to exercise
• Arthroplasty or Prosthetic Limbs
• Vision or Hearing problems hindering participation in group
• Medication or Disorders contraindicating exercise or standing
• Hypotension or Orthostatic Hypotension
• Malignancy or Recent Treatment for Malignancy

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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20 participants in 2 patient groups

Exercise Program

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will participate in a group resistance exercise program for 8 weeks, using elastic bands.

Treatment:

Other: Elastic Band Resistance Exercises

Unchanged Activities of Daily Living

No Intervention group

Description:

Participants will be asked not to change their activities of daily living for the duration of the research.