Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT01768819

Multimodal Physical Activity for the Elderly

Although some authors have observed favorable effects of group physical activity programs, others have reported that the individualized prescription of exercises may be jeopardized by programs that do not allow sufficient consideration of individual characteristics. Therefore, we aim to verify the effects of an elderly-specific multimodal physical activity program on physical parameters after one year of intervention.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Aging Behavior Motor Activity Physical Activity

Age range

60 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Participate in the Geriatric Revitalization Program for one year
  • Be on the waiting list for the Geriatric Revitalization Program

Exclusion criteria

  • Attend less than 75% of the physical activity program's activities
  • Absent any of the three follow-up physical parameter evaluations

Treatment and study plan

Physical activity

Behavioral

The intervention consisted of elderly-specific physical activity program for one year. During this period a total of 123 physical activity sessions were carried out. Each session lasted 50 minutes and included stretching, aerobic endurance exercises, resistance exercises, activities involving coordination, agility and flexibility, respiratory exercises and relaxation exercises. The sessions took place three times a week, according to American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommendations. Workloads were adjusted for each subject bimonthly according to their capacity. The sessions were standardized and carried out by previously trained physical educators.

Primary outcomes

  1. Static Balance

    Time frame: one year

    The one-leg stance test (OLST) was used to evaluate static balance. A point was marked at eye level on a board approximately one meter from the volunteer. Focusing on this point, the volunteer, with arms akimbo, lifted the leg of his or her choice by flexing the knee. The performance was timed with a chronometer (precision: 1ms) until either the individual lost balance or 30s was reached. The test was then carried out with the opposite leg and the series was repeated until three trials per leg had been performed. The mean time of the three trials was used for analysis.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Aerobic Endurance

    Time frame: one year

    Aerobic endurance was measured using the one-mile test or the Rockport Walking Test, which consists of having subjects walk 1,609 meters quickly, but without running. The time spent performing the task and the final heart rate were measured.

  2. Dynamic Balance

    Time frame: one year

    A maximum-speed walking test (MSWT) was used to measure dynamic balance. A course 3.33 m long and 33.3 cm wide was marked on the floor with tape and, beginning from a standing position, the participant walked the entire course as fast as possible without running when the signal was given. Three trials were carried out; the chronometer (precision: 1ms) was started as soon as the subject's foot crossed the starting line. The mean time from the trials was used for analysis.

  3. Flexibility

    Time frame: one year

    A sit-and-reach test (SRT) with a modified Wells flexometer (precision: 1mm) was used to evaluate the flexibility of the trunk and upper limbs. The subjects sat on the floor with their soles flush against the lower edge of the device. Then, with their overlapped hands on the upper surface touching a sliding position marker, they pushed it forward along the scale while exhaling. The best of three trials was considered the result.

  4. Handgrip Strength

    Time frame: one year

    Handgrip Strength was measured with a Jamar® hydraulic hand dynamometer (Sammons Preston Roylan, Bolingbrook, IL, USA) featuring a grading scale of 0-100 Kgf (precision: 2 Kgf). The best of three trials with the dominant upper limb was selected for analysis.

  5. Body Mass Index

    Time frame: one year

    The weight and height were measured with a calibrated analogue scale with a stadiometer. The variable of weight was measured three times and the mean value considered. Such variables were used to calculate the BMI of the volunteers.

  6. Body weight

    Time frame: one year

    The weight was measured with a calibrated analogue scale with a stadiometer. The variable was measured three times and the mean value considered.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effects of an Elderly-specific Multimodal Physical Activity Program: a Controlled Clinical Trial

Important dates

Study start
2008
Primary completion
2009
Study completion
2009
First posted
Jan 15, 2013
Registry last updated
Jan 23, 2013

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.