Early Time-Restricted Eating Combined With Exercise in Older Adults

This randomized controlled trial is designed to evaluate the effects of Early Time-Restricted Eating (eTRE) combined with a multicomponent exercise program on bone mineral density, physical function, and fall risk in healthy older adults.

Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either an experimental group or a control group. The intervention will last for 6 months. The experimental group will follow an Early Time-Restricted Eating protocol, consisting of an 8-hour daily eating window (e.g., 07:00-15:00) followed by a 16-hour fasting period, in combination with a supervised multicomponent exercise program performed three times per week.

Each exercise session will last approximately 60 minutes and will include resistance training, balance exercises, aerobic activities, and flexibility exercises. Exercise sessions will be scheduled within the eating window to optimize energy availability and recovery. Dietary intake will be monitored to ensure adequate energy and protein consumption.

The control group will maintain their usual lifestyle without any structured dietary timing or exercise intervention.

Assessments will be conducted at baseline and after the intervention period. Data will be analyzed using repeated measures analysis to evaluate the effects of time, group, and their interaction on study outcomes.

Inclusion criteria

• Aged 60 years or older
• Community-dwelling and generally healthy older adults
• Sedentary or moderately physically active
• Stable body weight during the previous 3 months (no intentional weight loss or gain >5%)
• Able to participate in a supervised exercise program
• Willing to comply with the time-restricted eating protocol and study procedures
• Able to provide written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of osteoporosis requiring pharmacological treatment
• Severe sarcopenia or major mobility limitations preventing safe exercise participation
• Cognitive impairment or diagnosed dementia affecting ability to follow instructions
• Presence of uncontrolled chronic diseases affecting bone metabolism (e.g., advanced renal disease, uncontrolled endocrine disorders)
• Current use of medications affecting bone metabolism (e.g., corticosteroids, anti-osteoporotic drugs)
• Participation in another structured exercise or dietary intervention program within the past 3 months
• Any medical condition that contraindicates moderate-intensity exercise
• Inability to comply with study protocol or follow-up assessments