Acute Effects of Elastic Band Resistance on Postural Stability and Physical Function in Older Adults
Condition: Stability; Posturography; Balance; Old Age; Debility
MeSH terms: Frailty
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Current balance and stability interventions have been shown to improve balance through
      targeting balance impairments and retraining effects. However, there are key facilitators and
      barriers 'that older adults may face to participate in such interventions'. Additionally,
      physical activity interventions fail to integrate older adults into the co-design and
      co-production of PA interventions. The study will aim to identify the impact and
      practicalities of an exercise intervention in older adults by performing pre selected
      exercises with an elastic resistance band attached at the hip and chest region to challenge
      balance. Static posturography will assess the impacts of the exercise intervention on balance
      and stability.

      Researcher led interviews will focus on the participants perceptions of the activities and
      decision making of exercise selection by selecting components that they are confident to
      perform which is a key element to creating a practical and enjoyable exercise programme for
      the older population. This will co-create an intervention that is accessible, acceptable, and
      appropriate for older adults.

      The study will establish the physical impact and practicalities of a novel elastic band
      resistance exercise intervention in older adults by performing force plate posturography and
      researcher led interviews that will focus on the participants perceptions of the activities
      and intensity levels to co-create an intervention that is accessible, acceptable, and
      appropriate for older adults.
    

Detailed description: 
      Outline of study designThe following study will be a repeated measures design. A convenience
      sample of adults/older adults will be recruited through PA networks in the Derbyshire
      community. Participants will not be recruited through HSN facilities or via any NHS platform.
      Participants will be required to attend three separate sessions with at least 48-72hours in
      between each session. Each session will be randomized in order to mitigate any bias and allow
      comparability of the 3 conditions. Experimental session one: Participants will be required to
      perform pre-selected exercises with an elastic resistance band placed at the hip region.
      Experimental session two: Participants will be required to perform pre-selected exercises
      with an elastic resistance band placed at the chest region. Experimental session three
      (control group): Participants will be required to perform pre-selected exercises without an
      elastic resistance band. The exercise intensity is measured throughout by RPE before, during
      and after each exercise.

      intensity. Participants will be asked to simply perform the exercises not at any specific
      intensity. Force plate posturography measurements will be recorded before and immediately
      after and 30 minutes after the exercise intervention. The other quantitative measures (heart
      rate, rate of perceived exertion) will be recorded throughout the intervention and one-to-one
      interviews using a semi structured interview guide will be performed at the end of each
      session. The session order will be randomized for each participant to counterbalance the
      outcome which emerge from the study.

      Participant preparation will include a detailed invitation to attend and briefing using a
      pre-prepared participant information sheet. Participants will be required to complete and
      return an International physical activity questionnaire, Falls efficacy scale, Confidence in
      maintaining balance and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living form.

      Upon arrival of each session participants will be required to read and sign an informed
      consent form, a general health screen questionnaire and mini mental state examination.
      Participants will be required to complete all 3 sessions which will be supervised in the
      Kirtley building laboratory at the University of Derby (3 x experimental trial). Instructions
      will be provided for participants to abstain from alcohol and caffeine for a minimum of 12/24
      hours respectively and avoidance of strenuous exercise for at least 72 hours prior to
      participation.
    

Intervention name(s): A repeated measures acute study using using elastic resistance bands in older adults to challenge stability.
Intervention type(s): Device
Intervention description(s): A repeated measures acute study using using elastic resistance bands in older adults to challenge stability. Exercises with an elastic resistance band anchored from the ground and placed at the hip and chest region will be trialled. Bertec force plate analysis will be performed to assess the acute effects on balance and stability. A semi- structured interview will identify the impact and practicalities of the intervention. The information will be used in the development of an evaluation process with key consideration of the planning phase of the intervention. Questions with verbal cues to provide perceptions of the exercise selection such as likes/ dislikes, safety, confidence, difficulty, enjoyment and band placement will be asked to determine the acceptability, accessibility, appropriateness and usability of the protocol and build insights into the participant preferences.
Other intervention name(s): Elastic Resistance Band Training; Balance training in Older Adults; Stability Training using Resistance bands in Older Adults; The acute effects of using Elastic Resistance Bands in Older Adults; Novel Elastic Resistance Band training Intervention in Older Adults; Bertec posturography; Resistance bands
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Prevention