Home-based Progressive Resistance Exercise to Enhance Physical Performance of Older Adults With Possible Sarcopenia

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The overall aim of the proposed project is to improve muscle strength in older adults with possible sarcopenia by promoting home-based progressive resistance exercise. The target population for health talks is community-dwelling older adults. A Three monthly home-visits and weekly phone calls will be made. A waitlist randomised controlled trial will be conducted to evaluate effectiveness, and qualitative feedback will be collected from participants. A pilot study will be conducted first.

Official Title
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Home-based Progressive Resistance Exercise to Enhance Physical Performance of Older Adults With Possible Sarcopenia

Conditions
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Sarcopenia

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Exercise


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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The inclusion criteria are: Aged 65-89; Possible sarcopenia (defined by AWGS 2019); No cognitive impairment (Abbreviated Mental Test score ≥8); and No communication problems. The exclusion criteria are: having engaged in a structured exercise programme in the past 6 months or planning to do so within the intervention period; mobility-limiting injury of the hands or lower limbs, surgery or hospitalisation within the intervention period; contraindications such as musculoskeletal/cardiorespiratory disorders, or any advanced diseases that inhibit them from exercising.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 65 Years
Maximum Age: 89 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Intervention<br>The intervention is a 12-week home-based resistance training programme with phased progression. The intervention will have three phases: (i) an initial phase focused on training the target muscle(s)/movements with minimal or no external weight; (ii) an intermediate phase targeting muscle strength with increased practice resistance; and (iii) an advanced phase targeting the further enhancement of muscle strength by challenging multiple muscle groups. Each phase will involve exercises targeting the trunk, back, hip, upper-limb and lower-limb muscles. | Behavioral: Exercise<br>* The intervention is to be taught by fitness trainer at the participants' home at the start of each phase. The exercise progression model for older adults recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine, which emphasise gradual increments in training load and systematically alter one or more programme components, will be adopted.<br>|
| Other: Waitlist control<br>The waitlist control participants will start the intervention 12 weeks after the baseline assessment. | Behavioral: Exercise<br>* The intervention is to be taught by fitness trainer at the participants' home at the start of each phase. The exercise progression model for older adults recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine, which emphasise gradual increments in training load and systematically alter one or more programme components, will be adopted.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in lower-limb muscle strength at 12 weeks from baseline | Measured by Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), higher score indicates better performance | 12 weeks after baseline | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in lower-limb muscle strength at 24 weeks from baseline | Measured by Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), higher score indicates better performance | 24 weeks after baseline |