Effects of circuit-based resistance training on frailty and functional capacity in older adults

Circuit Resistance Training: an intervention model to improve functional capacity and frailty status in older adults

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

REBEC

Registry ID

RBR-4p5b4xb

Enrollment

Registered

2026-04-24

Start date

2026-02-23

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2026-04-27

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Frailty Syndrome Frail elderly

Interventions

This is a two-arm randomized controlled clinical trial. After eligibility screening and signing the Informed Consent Form (ICF), eligible participants will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to the

n=20), which will undergo Circuit-Based Resistance Training (CBRT), and the Active Control Group (ACG

n=20), which will undergo stretching practices and educational activities. The randomization sequence will be generated using IBM SPSS Statistics (version 25) through the random number generation func

body composition

frailty status according to the Fried frailty phenotype

lower-limb strength

upper-limb strength

five-times sit-to-stand test

Timed Up and Go (TUG). Arm 1 – Intervention Group (IG): the 20 participants will perform supervised, in-person Circuit-Based Resistance Training for 12 weeks, with three 60-minute sessions per week. T

Eligibility

Age

60 Years to No maximum

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: Participants must not have engaged in any structured physical activity over the past year; must self-identify as female or male; must be aged 60 years or older; must live near the Sports Center where the experiment will be conducted; must agree to participate only in the intervention as their daily physical practice during the 12-week period; must score between 1 and 5 on the criteria used to assess frailty status; and must be able to complete the Informed Consent Form in accordance with Brazilian National Health Council (CNS) Resolution No. 466/2012, as well as be fit to participate fully in the study

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: Older adults presenting with severe frailty; severe and unstable clinical conditions (cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, or orthopedic) within the last month and at the time of recruitment/intervention; cognitive impairment that prevents understanding the Informed Consent Form (ICF) and following instructions; recent falls with serious injuries and/or postural instability that precludes exercise practice; rapid and excessive weight loss; participants who have engaged in structured physical activity within the last 12 months; dependence on mobility aids that may hinder performance of the training; participation in other studies; refusal to provide informed consent

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
To assess the transition in frailty status according to the Fried Frailty Phenotype through circuit-based resistance training, considering as the primary outcome a shift from the frail category to pre-frail or robust, based on the observation of a change equal to or greater than 40% from baseline to post-intervention	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
To assess improvements in lower-limb muscle strength (knee extensors) through circuit-based resistance training, measured by maximal isometric dynamometry using a specific dynamometer to obtain maximal voluntary isometric force (MVIF) during knee extension, considering as a clinically relevant response a change equal to or greater than 20% from baseline to post-intervention ;To assess improvements in upper-limb muscle strength (elbow flexors) through circuit-based resistance training, measured by maximal isometric dynamometry using a handheld dynamometer to obtain maximal voluntary isometric force (MVIF) during elbow flexion, considering as a clinically relevant response a change equal to or greater than 20% from baseline to post-intervention ;To assess improvements in functional performance through circuit-based resistance training, measured using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test by recording the time required for the participant to stand up from a standardized chair, walk a pre-marked distance, turn around, and sit down again, according to a standardized protocol, considering as a clinically relevant response a change equal to or greater than 20% from baseline to post-intervention.	—

Measure

Time frame

To assess improvements in lower-limb muscle strength (knee extensors) through circuit-based resistance training, measured by maximal isometric dynamometry using a specific dynamometer to obtain maximal voluntary isometric force (MVIF) during knee extension, considering as a clinically relevant response a change equal to or greater than 20% from baseline to post-intervention ;To assess improvements in upper-limb muscle strength (elbow flexors) through circuit-based resistance training, measured by maximal isometric dynamometry using a handheld dynamometer to obtain maximal voluntary isometric force (MVIF) during elbow flexion, considering as a clinically relevant response a change equal to or greater than 20% from baseline to post-intervention ;To assess improvements in functional performance through circuit-based resistance training, measured using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test by recording the time required for the participant to stand up from a standardized chair, walk a pre-marked distance, turn around, and sit down again, according to a standardized protocol, considering as a clinically relevant response a change equal to or greater than 20% from baseline to post-intervention.

—

Countries

Contacts

Public ContactAna Souza Lima

Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades da Universidade de São Paulo

apsouzalima@usp.br+55-11-989989261

Outcome results

None listed

Source: REBEC (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: May 1, 2026