A Novel Mat Exercise Program Improves Functional Fitness, Activity Levels, and Quality of Life in Older Adults

Not Applicable

Active, not recruiting

• Conditions: Physical Activity; Quality of Life; Functional Fitness

• Registration Number: NCT06898528
• Lead Sponsor: National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences

Brief Summary

In this study, investigators recruited older adults aged 60 to 80 years and utilized a parallel experimental design. A total of 32 participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. The intervention consisted of a 70-min-long exercise game-based mat training session conducted twice weekly for 10 consecutive weeks. Each session included a 10-min warm-up, approximately 45 min of primary training, and a 15-min cool-down and stretching routine. Participants completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL, Taiwanese Version) before and after the intervention. Additionally, the functional fitness assessment were conducted.

Detailed Description

The mat-based exercise facility (Stampede, Taipei, Taiwan) assists participants in exercise training by incorporating interactive light and sound effects to guide users through various exercises while progressively increasing intensity. The training program is divided into two phases: the first phase focuses on fundamental movements, whereas the second phase introduces more advanced exercises. With progress, additional exercise equipment is incorporated, along with increased sets, duration, movement variations, and training intensity. Training sessions can be conducted in a simple, progressive manner or a game-competitive format. Throughout the training, participants wore a heart rate monitor (ALATHEC Obeat1, Taichung, Taiwan) that recorded their exercise intensity and heart rate fluctuations. However, the exercise intensity and frequency were adjusted based on participants' adaptation. This study encompassed five different lighting modes, namely all light on, circle on, four corners, two lines, and diamond. Each mode was paired with different training protocols and movement patterns, supplemented by training equipment, such as medicine balls, resistance bands, and balance pads.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2024-08-01
• Primary Completion: 2025-02-28
• Status Verified: 2025-03
• Study First Submitted: 2025-03-12
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-03-20
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-03-26
• Study First Posted: 2025-03-27
• Last Update Posted: 2025-04-01
• Study Completion: 2025-06-30

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 32

Inclusion Criteria

(i) Elderly individuals (aged 60-80) who have not experienced any muscle or skeletal injuries in the past month and are able to participate in training normally.

(ii) Completion of the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire and meeting the conditions for initiating moderate-intensity exercise intervention.

(iii) Ability to comply with the exercise frequency required by this study and travel to and from the training site independently.

Exclusion Criteria

(i) individuals with severe musculoskeletal disorders, (ii) individuals deemed unsuitable for exercise training based on a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire evaluation or psychiatric disorders, and (iii) individuals under medications that may influence study outcomes.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
International Physical Activity Questionnaire	The evaluation was conducted at baseline and the 11th week time points.	The questionnaire was applied to evaluate the physical activities. The duration of activity will be converted into metabolic equivalents (METs), with higher MET values indicating a greater level of physical activity.
World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire	The evaluation was conducted at baseline and the 11th week time points.	The questionnaire was applied to evaluate the quality of life. A self-assessment will be conducted for different dimensions of quality of life, with higher values indicating greater satisfaction in that particular dimension.
Senior fitness	The evaluation was conducted at baseline and the 11th week time points.	The regular physical fitness was evaluated by indicated senior fitness test. This fitness test measures the number of repetitions performed within a specific time frame, with higher values indicating better fitness. However, for dynamic balance, a shorter time indicates better performance.
Functional fitness	The evaluation was conducted at baseline and 11th week time points.	The functional fitness was evaluated by sport technology-based AFAscan fitness assessment. This fitness test measures the number of repetitions performed within a specific time frame, with higher values indicating better fitness.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences; 🇨🇳 Taipei, Taiwan