scholarly journals Personalized multicomponent exercise programs using smartphone technology among older people: protocol for a randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yael Netz ◽  
Esther Argov ◽  
Ziv Yekutieli ◽  
Moshe Ayalon ◽  
Keren Tchelet ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Optimal application of the recently updated World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for exercise in advanced age necessitates an accurate adjustment for the age-related increasing variability in biological age and fitness levels, alongside detailed recommendations across a range of motor fitness components, including balance, strength, and flexibility. We previously developed and validated a novel tool, designed to both remotely assess these fitness components, and subsequently deliver a personalized exercise program via smartphone. We describe the design of a prospective randomized control trial, comparing the effectiveness of the remotely delivered personalized multicomponent exercise program to either WHO exercise guidelines or no intervention. Methods Participants (n = 300) are community dwelling, healthy, functionally independent, cognitively intact volunteers aged ≥65 at low risk for serious fall injuries, assigned using permuted block randomization (age/gender) to intervention, active-control, or control group. The intervention is an 8-week program including individually tailored exercises for upper/lower body, flexibility, strength, and balance (dynamic, static, vestibular); active-controls receive exercising counselling according to WHO guidelines; controls receive no guidance. Primary outcome is participant fitness level, operationalized as 42 digital markers generated from 10 motor fitness measures (balance, strength, flexibility); measured at baseline, mid-trial (4-weeks), trial-end (8-weeks), and follow-up (12-weeks). Target sample size is 300 participants to provide 99% power for moderate and high effect sizes (Cohen’s f = 0.25, 0.40 respectively). Discussion The study will help understand the value of individualized motor fitness assessment used to generate personalized multicomponent exercise programs, delivered remotely among older adults. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04181983

Gerontology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Yael Netz ◽  
Ziv Yekutieli ◽  
Michal Arnon ◽  
Esther Argov ◽  
Keren Tchelet ◽  
...  

<b><i>Background:</i></b> The World Health Organization has recently updated exercise guidelines for people aged &#x3e;65 years, emphasizing the inclusion of multiple fitness components. However, without adequate recognition of individual differences, these guidelines may be applied using an approach that “one-size-fits-all.” Within the shifting paradigm toward an increasingly personalized approach to medicine and health, it is apparent that fitness components display a significant age-related increase in variability. Therefore, it is both logical and necessary to perform an accurate individualized assessment of multiple fitness components prior to optimal prescription for a personalized exercise program. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> The aim of the study was to test the feasibility and effectiveness of a novel tool able to remotely assess balance, flexibility, and strength using smartphone sensors (accelerometer/gyroscope), and subsequently deliver personalized exercise programs via the smartphone. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We enrolled 52 healthy volunteers (34 females) aged 65+ years, with normal cognition and low fall risk. Baseline data from remote smartphone fitness assessment were analyzed to generate 42 fitness digital markers (DMs), used to guide personalized exercise programs (×5/week for 6 weeks) delivered via smartphone. Programs included graded exercises for upper/lower body, flexibility, strength, and balance (dynamic, static, and vestibular). Participants were retested after 6 weeks. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Average age was 74.7 ± 6.4 years; adherence was 3.6 ± 1.7 exercise sessions/week. Significant improvement for pre-/posttesting was observed for 10/12 DMs of strength/flexibility for upper/lower body (sit-to-stand repetitions/duration; arm-lift duration; torso rotation; and arm extension/flexion). Balance improved significantly for 6/10 measures of tandem stance, with consistent (nonsignificant) trends observed across 20 balance DMs of tandem walk and 1 leg stance. Balance tended to improve among the 37 participants exercising ≥3/week. <b><i>Discussion:</i></b> These preliminary results provide a proof of concept, with high adherence and improved fitness confirming the benefits of remote fitness assessment for guiding home personalized exercise programs among healthy adults aged &#x3e;65 years. Further examination of the application within a randomized control study is necessary, comparing the personalized exercise program to general guidelines among healthy older adults, as well as specific populations, such as those with frailty, deconditioning, cognitive, or functional impairment. The study tool offers the opportunity to collect big data, including additional variables, with subsequent utilization of artificial intelligence to optimize the personalized exercise program.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 903-903
Author(s):  
Jeremy Jacobs ◽  
Ziv Yekutiel ◽  
Mical Arnon ◽  
Esther Argov ◽  
Keren Tchelet Karlinsky ◽  
...  

Abstract Guidelines for physical activity emphasize multiple fitness components among people aged &gt;65. The age-related increase in variability of fitness components necessitates accurate individualized assessment prior to optimal prescription for personalized exercise program. Accordingly, we tested feasibility and effectiveness of a novel tool designed to remotely assess balance, flexibility, and strength using smartphone sensors (accelerometer/gyroscope), and subsequently remotely deliver personalized exercise programs via smartphone. This pilot study enrolled 52 healthy volunteers (34 females) aged 65+, with normal cognition and low fall-risk. Baseline preliminary data from smartphone fitness assessment were analyzed to generate 42 fitness digital-markers, used to generate personalized exercise programs (5 times/week for 6 weeks). Programs included graded exercises for upper/lower body, flexibility, strength, and balance (dynamic, static, vestibular). Fitness was remotely assessed at baseline and after six weeks. Average age was 74.7±6.4 years; adherence was 3.6±1.7 exercise sessions/week. Significant improvement for pre/post testing was observed for 10/12 digital-markers of strength/flexibility for upper/lower body (sit-to-stand repetitions/duration; arm-lift duration; torso-rotation; arm-extension/flexion). Balance improved significantly for 6/10 measures of tandem-stance, with consistent (non-significant) trends observed across 20 balance digital-markers of tandem-walk and one leg-stance. Balance showed greatest improvement among the 37 participants exercising ≥3/week. These preliminary results serve as proof of concept among people aged &gt;65: high adherence and improved fitness confirm the potential benefits and niche for remote fitness assessment used to generate personalized exercise programs. Future research is required to confirm the benefits among specific patient groups, such as those with frailty, deconditioning, cognitive and functional impairment.


2008 ◽  
Vol 36 (06) ◽  
pp. 1041-1050 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching Lan ◽  
Ssu-Yuan Chen ◽  
Jin-Shin Lai

The objective of this study was to evaluate the 5-year changes of aerobic capacity, fat ratio and flexibility in older Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) practitioners and sedentary controls. Sixty-nine community-dwelling elderly individuals (mean age: 68.6 ± 6.3 years) completed this study. The TCC group (18 M; 17 F) had been practicing TCC regularly for 6.3 ± 3.7 years at baseline and continued training in the study interval. The control group (16 M; 18 F) did not participate in any regular exercise program. A graded bicycle exercise testing was conducted at the baseline and at 5-year to evaluate the age-related decline in aerobic capacity. Triceps and subscapular skinfolds, and thoracolumbar flexibility were also measured. At baseline, the TCC group displayed higher peak oxygen uptake [Formula: see text] and thoraolumbar flexibility, and lower fat ratio than the control group. At the 5-year follow-up, the TCC group displayed a smaller decrease in [Formula: see text] than the sedentary group. The annual decrease of [Formula: see text] in TCC men and women was 0.32 and 0.22 ml · kg-1 · min-1, respectively. In the control group, the annual decrease of [Formula: see text] was 0.50 and 0.36 ml · kg-1 · min-1 in men and women, respectively. The TCC group also showed a smaller increase of body fat ratio, and a less decrease of flexibility than the control group. In conclusion, long-term practice of TCC attenuates the age-related decline of aerobic capacity, and it also reduces the increase of body fat ratio in older individuals. TCC may be prescribed as a conditioning exercise for the elderly to maintain their health fitness.


2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lesley Day ◽  
Margaret J. Trotter ◽  
Alex Donaldson ◽  
Keith D. Hill ◽  
Caroline F. Finch

The study aim was to evaluate the implementation of group- and home-based exercise falls prevention programs delivered through community health agencies to community-dwelling older people. Interviews with program staff were guided by the Diffusion of Innovations theory. Highly consistent themes emerged for the two types of programs. Both had high overall compatibility, high relative advantage, good observability and high inherent trialability—all factors known to strengthen implementation. The level of complexity and low financial compatibility emerged as the strongest potential inhibitors to program implementation in the context examined. The two main factors contributing to complexity were the need to challenge balance safely across a broad range of capability, and practical considerations associated with program delivery.A range of strategies to provide more technical support for exercise program leaders to tailor balance challenge for exercise program leaders may enhance implementation of falls prevention exercise programs.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hwang-Jae Lee ◽  
Su Hyun Lee ◽  
Won Hyuk Chang ◽  
Keehong Seo ◽  
Jusuk Lee ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Wearable types of gait-assist robots have been developed to provide additional advantages such as being easily transportable, producing a more natural gait pattern, and being simple to control. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of intensive gait training with a newly developed wearable hip-assist robot on gait function and cardiopulmonary metabolic energy efficiency in community-dwelling elderly adults. Methods: Total of 27 community-dwelling elderly adults with age-related problems completed in this intervention study (15 experimental group and 12 control group) . The experimental participants received an intensive gait training program with a total of 10 sessions involving five sessions of treadmill and five sessions of over-ground gait training with the wearable hip-assist robot. The control group received gait training without a wearable-hip assist robot. The primary outcomes were gait functions (spatio-temporal parameters and muscle effort). The secondary outcome was cardiopulmonary metabolic energy consumption. Results: Compared to the control group, the experimental group had significantly greater improvements after intervention in spatio-temporal parameters (gait speed, cadence, and stride length) and reduced muscle efforts (trunk and lower extremity) with gait (p < 0.05). In addition, the reduction in oxygen consumption (ml/min/kg) was about 16.31% in the experimental group after intervention. Furthermore, the reduction in the aerobic energy expenditure measurement (Kcal/min) was about 17.36% in the experimental group after intensive gait training with wearable hip-assist robot. All cardiopulmonary metabolic energy consumption parameters in the experimental group were reduced significantly more than in the control group (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The intensive gait training with a wearable hip-assist robot was effective in improving gait function and cardiopulmonary metabolic energy efficiency in community-dwelling elderly adults with age-related problems. Trial registration: NCT02843828, registration date: 07/14/2016 - retrospectively registered


Author(s):  
Taner Akbulut ◽  
Vedat Cinar ◽  
Suleyman Aydin ◽  
Meltem Yardim

Background: It is known that exercise causes many changes in the human organism. Understanding the metabolisms underlying these changes is an important issue. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of different and regularly applied exercise programs on irisin, heat shock protein 70 and some biochemical parameters. Methods: 120 male university students participated in the study. Participants were divided into 4 equal groups as control (C), resistance exercise group (RE), high intensity interval (HIIT) and aerobic exercise group (AE). While the control group did not perform any exercise, the pre-determined exercise programs were applied to the other groups for 8 weeks and 3 days in a week. Blood samples were taken from all participants before and after the exercise program. Cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglyceride, creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Irisin and Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) levels were analyzed in blood samples. Results: It is determined that there are significant differences in pre-posttest values ​​of the AE group’s LDH, cholesterol, HDL, Triglyceride and HSP 70 levels, HIIT group’s CK, LDH, Cholesterol, HDL, Triglyceride, Irisin and HSP70 levels and RE group’s CK, LDH, Cholesterol, LDL, Triglyceride and irisin levels (p<0.05). Conlusions: It can be said that; exercise can correct abnormalities in lipid profile, changes in HSP70 levels may vary depending on muscle damage, the increase of irisin due to exercise.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Muammar Irsyad Kadir ◽  
Nur Hardiyanty ◽  
Fadhia Adliah

Objective: This study aims to determine the effect of the Otago Exercise Program on the risk of falling and the quality of life of older people. Methods: The method used was experimental research with pretest-posttest design and control group design, involving 16 participants. Before and after treatment, respondents measured the risk of falling using a Timed-Up-and-Go test (TUGT) and quality of life using the World Health Organization Quality of Life BREF (WHOQL-BREF). Furthermore, the obtained data were analyzed using the paired T-test and independent T-test. Results: The results showed a significant effect on the risk of fall and the quality of life of the older people in the treatment group. In addition, there were significant different influences on the value of falling risk and quality of life (physical and environmental) between the treatment and control groups. Conclusion: The Otago exercise program had a significant effect on reducing the risk of falls and improving the quality of life of older people.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yadollah Abolfathi Momtaz ◽  
Parisa Mollaei ◽  
Parisa Taheri-Tanjani

Introduction: One of the consequences of aging is the prevalence of chronic and age-related diseases, such as dementia. Caring for patients with dementia has a negative impact on the caregiver's well-being. This study aimed to examine the impact of cyberspace-based education on the well-being of caregivers of demented elderly people. Methods: This experimental study was done on a sample of 86 caregivers of elderly with dementia in 2018. The study sample was selected from memory clinic of Taleghani Hospital and randomly assigned into groups (intervention n = 43, control n = 43 groups). The well-being was measured using the World Health Organization - Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5), before and two months after the intervention. Cyberspace-based educational intervention was conducted for one month. The SPSS software version 23 was employed in data analysis. Results: The mean age of the caregivers in the intervention and control groups were (M = 51.95, SD = 10.90) and (M = 51.36, SD = 15.12) respectively. No significant difference was found between two groups in terms of age, gender and level of education. The results of analysis showed that while the well-being of the intervention group was significantly increased (t (38) = -11.38, P<0.001) the well-being in the control group was significantly reduced ( t(36) =4.71 , P<0.001). Conclusion: The findings showed that cyberspace-based education can improve the well-being of caregivers of the elderly with dementia.


2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy McPhate ◽  
Emily M. Simek ◽  
Terry P. Haines ◽  
Keith D. Hill ◽  
Caroline F. Finch ◽  
...  

Background:Group exercise has been shown to be effective in preventing falls; however, adherence to these interventions is often poor. Older adults’ preferences for how these programs can be delivered are unknown.Objective:To identify older people’s preferences for how group exercise programs for falls prevention can be delivered.Design:A two-wave, cross-sectional, state-wide telephone survey was undertaken. Respondents were community-dwelling men and women aged 70+ in Victoria, Australia.Methods:Open-ended questions were asked to elicit information regarding respondent preferences of the program, which were analyzed using a framework approach.Results:Ninetyseven respondents completed the follow-up survey. The results indicate that older adults most frequently report the short-term advantages and disadvantages when describing their preferences for group exercise, such as enjoyment, social interaction, and leader qualities. Longer-term advantages such as falls prevention were described less frequently.Conclusions:This study indicates the importance of interpersonal skills, and that the opportunity for social interaction should not be overlooked as a positive feature of a group exercise program.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynne Taylor ◽  
John Parsons ◽  
Denise Taylor ◽  
Elizabeth Binns ◽  
Sue Lord ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Falls are two to four times more frequent amongst long-term care (LTC) than community-dwelling older adults and have deleterious consequences. It is hypothesized that a progressive exercise program targeting balance and strength will reduce falls rates when compared to a seated exercise program and do so cost effectively. Methods/Design This is a single blind, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial with blinded assessment of outcome and intention-to-treat analysis. LTC residents (age ≥65 years) will be recruited from LTC facilities in New Zealand. Participants (n= 528 total; with a 1:1 allocation ratio) will be randomly assigned to either a novel exercise program (Staying UpRight), comprising strength and balance exercises designed specifically for LTC and acceptable to people with dementia, (intervention group) or a seated exercise program (control group). The intervention and control group classes will be delivered for 1 hour twice weekly over 1 year. The primary outcome is rate of falls (per 1000 person years) within the intervention period. Secondary outcomes will be risk of falling (the proportion of fallers per group), falls rate relative to activity exposure, hospitalisation for fall-related injury, change in gait variability, volume and patterns of ambulatory activity and change in physical performance assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Cost effectiveness will be examined using intervention and health service costs. The trial commenced recruitment on 31 November 2018. Discussion This study evaluates the efficacy and cost effectiveness of a progressive strength and balance exercise program for aged-care residents to reduce falls. The outcomes will aid development of evidenced-based exercise programs for this vulnerable population.


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