Flexi-Bar and Multi-Component Exercises

NCT ID: NCT05025137

Last Updated: 2021-08-27

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 40 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2020-09-01
• Study Completion Date: 2021-05-30

Brief Summary

Background: Previous studies have suggested that both Flexi-Bar and Multi-Component exercises can improve an individual's physical fitness and musculoskeletal discomfort. However, determining which is more effective in enhancing the frailty, physical fitness, and musculoskeletal discomfort of the elderly remains controversial.

Objective: This study aims to investigate differences in the effectiveness of Flexi-Bar and Multi-Component exercises in improving the frailty, physical fitness, and musculoskeletal discomfort of the elderly after 12 weeks of intervention.

Methods: A single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted to collect data from a city in central Taiwan. Participants were randomly divided into a Flexi-Bar group (FB group) and a Multi-Component exercise group (MCE group). Participants in the FB group performed a 60-minute Flexi-Bar exercise every week for 12 consecutive weeks. Meanwhile, Participants in the MCE group performed a 60-minute Multi-Component exercise every week for 12 consecutive weeks. Tests were conducted both before and after the 12-week intervention using items including the Kihon Checklist, Senior Fitness Test, and Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire.

Conditions

Older Adults

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Flexi-Bar group

Participants in the Flexi-Bar group performed a 60-minute Flexi-Bar exercise every week for 12 consecutive weeks.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Flexi-Bar Exercise

Intervention Type: OTHER

In the experimental group, the Flexi-Bar was adopted as the tool for active vibration exercises. Featuring light weight and ease of operation, it weighs only 460 grams and has a vibration frequency of 4-5 Hz. With diversified functions, the Flexi-Bar can improve posture, burn fat, strengthen connective tissue, enhance body shape, and increase muscle strength.

The 12-week Flexi-Bar exercise course in this study was created by two assistant professors specializing in rehabilitation (one with an occupational therapy certificate and the other with a physical therapy certificate). The course, composed of one 60-minute class per week for a total of 12 weeks, progressed gradually from basic activities (e.g., standing with both feet) to advanced activities (e.g., standing with one foot).

Multi-Component exercise group

Participants in the Multi-Component exercise group performed a 60-minute Multi-Component exercise every week for 12 consecutive weeks.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Multi-Component exercise

Intervention Type: OTHER

Alternatively, in the control group, the Multi-Component exercise was adopted, which included aerobic, resistance, flexibility, and balance exercises. The course was composed of one 60-minute class per week for a total of 12 weeks. The design was based on the ACSM's recommendations for the multiple-component exercise of the elderly (Chodzko-Zajko et al., 2009) and videos of the National Health Exercises for the Elderly formulated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (Ministry of Health and Welfare, 2017). The course was created and led by a physical therapist to gradually progress from sitting postures to standing and walking postures. Additionally, the intensity of the exercises was adjusted according to the participants' physical conditions; fitness equipment was introduced when appropriate.

Interventions

Flexi-Bar Exercise

In the experimental group, the Flexi-Bar was adopted as the tool for active vibration exercises. Featuring light weight and ease of operation, it weighs only 460 grams and has a vibration frequency of 4-5 Hz. With diversified functions, the Flexi-Bar can improve posture, burn fat, strengthen connective tissue, enhance body shape, and increase muscle strength.

The 12-week Flexi-Bar exercise course in this study was created by two assistant professors specializing in rehabilitation (one with an occupational therapy certificate and the other with a physical therapy certificate). The course, composed of one 60-minute class per week for a total of 12 weeks, progressed gradually from basic activities (e.g., standing with both feet) to advanced activities (e.g., standing with one foot).

Intervention Type: OTHER

Multi-Component exercise

Alternatively, in the control group, the Multi-Component exercise was adopted, which included aerobic, resistance, flexibility, and balance exercises. The course was composed of one 60-minute class per week for a total of 12 weeks. The design was based on the ACSM's recommendations for the multiple-component exercise of the elderly (Chodzko-Zajko et al., 2009) and videos of the National Health Exercises for the Elderly formulated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (Ministry of Health and Welfare, 2017). The course was created and led by a physical therapist to gradually progress from sitting postures to standing and walking postures. Additionally, the intensity of the exercises was adjusted according to the participants' physical conditions; fitness equipment was introduced when appropriate.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• (1) participants aged 65 years and over;
• (2) participants who could communicate in Mandarin or Taiwanese and cooperate with sports activities; and
• (3) participants who could walk independently without assistance (or with aid).

Exclusion Criteria

• (1) participants with unstable physiological conditions (or those who were recommended against participating in physical activities by their doctor);
• (2) participants with unstable mental conditions; and
• (3) participants who could not complete the 12-week exercise intervention.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 88 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Yang Shang-Yu

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Yang Shang-Yu

Assistant professor

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Asia University

Taichung, WuFeng, Taiwan

Countries

Taiwan

Other Identifiers

CRREC-109

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id