Healthy Ageing
Conditions
Keywords
Healthy Aging, older adults, Low-load Exercise, Health Education, Physical Function, Vascular Health
Brief summary
As people age, it can become harder to stay active and independent, especially when dealing with fatigue, joint pain, or other health problems. Heavy weightlifting and high-intensity exercise are effective but may not be comfortable or realistic for many older adults. This study is looking at a gentler type of exercise called blood flow restriction (BFR) training, which uses light weights and slow walking combined with special bands around the arms and legs to gently reduce blood flow during exercise. This method has been shown to help improve strength and fitness using much lighter loads, which may make it a safer and more accessible option for older adults. In this study, adults age 60 and older will be randomly assign into one of two groups: an exercise group or a health education group. The exercise group will take part in a six-week BFR program that includes supervised light resistance exercises and short walking sessions each week. The health education group will attend three educational sessions over six weeks that focus on healthy aging and ways to manage health and stay active. After the first six weeks, participants will have the chance to switch and take part in the other program, so everyone eventually receives both exercise and education. Before and after each program, participants will complete simple tests of strength, walking ability, and physical function, along with measurements of heart and blood vessel health, body composition, and blood markers related to aging and overall health. They will also fill out questionnaires about their quality of life, physical activity, and how they feel about their health and aging. The goal of this study is to find out whether BFR exercise and health education can support healthy aging, improve physical function, and help older adults feel more positive and confident about their health. What the study investigators learn may help create better, more accessible programs in the community to keep older adults stronger, healthier, and more independent.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALBlood Flow Restriction Training Exercise
Participants will complete a six-week blood flow restriction exercise program consisting of low-load resistance training and short BFR walking sessions performed with standardized cuff pressures under supervision and at home to improve strength and functional capacity.
BEHAVIORALHealth Education
Participants will attend a three health education lectures within six weeks on healthy aging, disease prevention, and lifestyle strategies while maintaining their usual daily activities.
Sponsors
Baylor University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
60 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Community-dwelling adults aged 60 years or older, * Able to walk independently , * Willing to provide informed consent and participate in exercise and/or health education sessions.
Exclusion criteria
* Adults with uncontrolled disease (unstable or recent angina, heart failure class III-IV, * Myocardial infarction within 6 months, * Uncontrolled hypertension, * Uncontrolled diabetes, * Recent deep vain thrombosis, * Uncontrolled renal disease, * Those with severe orthopedic or neuromuscular condition that limit safe exercise or walking.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Functional Exercise Capacity | baseline and 6 weeks. | Measured by the distance in meters covered during a 6-minute walk. |
| Grip Strength | Baseline and 6 weeks. | Measured with a hand grip dynamometry in kilograms |
| Lower Body Strength and Endurance | Baseline and 6 weeks | Measured with a sit-to-stand test, seconds to complete 5 repetitions of sitting and standing from a chair. |
| Body Composition | Baseline and 6 weeks | Adiposity will be measured by Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry as percent of body fat |
| Endothelial Function | Baseline and 6 weeks | Measured via brachial artery flow mediated dilation. Percent FMD |
| Biomarker of Genetic Aging | Baseline and 6 weeks | Klotho a marker of aging will be quantified through blood samples analysis. Measured with Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. |
| Metabolic Health | Baseline and 6 weeks | Cholestech LDX analyzer will measure levels of cholesterol HDL mg/dL from a finger prick sample. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Body Mass Index (BMI) | Baseline and 6 week | BMI will be determined using weight in kilogram and height in meters squared. kg/m2 |
| Blood Pressure | Baseline and 6 weeks. | Blood pressure will be measured using an automated oscillometric sphygmomanometer to determine systolic and diastolic blood pressure in mmHg. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed