The effect of the inclusion of trunk-strengthening exercises to a multimodal exercise program on physical activity levels and psychological functioning in older adults: secondary data analysis of a randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether adding trunk-strengthening exercises to a walking-balance exercise program improves physical activity levels and psychological functioning in older adults.
Results Summary
The study found no significant between-group differences in physical activity or psychological outcomes, but within-group improvements were observed in moderate-intensity physical activity and steps per day for the trunk-strengthening group, and in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and depression symptoms for the walking-balance group. Improvements in physical activity were sustained in the walking-balance group after detraining, but not in the trunk-strengthening group.
Population
Healthy older adults aged 60 years and above.
Effective Dosage
12-week exercise program (walking and balance with or without trunk-strengthening), followed by a 6-week walking-only program.
Duration
12 weeks of exercise training plus 6 weeks of detraining.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
multimodal exercise program | decrease | age-related decrements | - | - | helps mitigate | #1 |
multimodal exercise program | increase | muscle size, muscle strength, balance, and physical function | - | - | improving | #2 |
addition of trunk-strengthening within the exercise program | increase | physical functioning outcomes | - | - | significantly improve | #3 |
inclusion of trunk-strengthening exercises to a multimodal exercise program | no change | physical activity, sedentary behaviour, fear-of-falling, or symptoms of anxiety or depression | healthy older (≥ 60 years) adults | no significant change | no significant between-group differences were observed | #4 |
trunk-strengthening exercise group | increase | moderate-intensity physical activity | healthy older (≥ 60 years) adults | 6.29 [1.58, 11.00] min/day; + 26.3% | Significant within-group improvements | #5 |
trunk-strengthening exercise group | increase | total number of steps per min/day | healthy older (≥ 60 years) adults | 0.81 [0.29 to 1.33] numbers or + 16.3% | Significant within-group improvements | #6 |
walking-balance exercise group | increase | moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) | healthy older (≥ 60 years) adults | 4.81 [0.06 to 9.56] min/day; + 23.5% | increased | #7 |
walking-balance exercise group | decrease | symptoms of depression | healthy older (≥ 60 years) adults | -0.26 [-0.49 to -0.04] points or -49% | reported reduction | #8 |
trunk-strengthening exercise group | decrease | exercise-induced increases in physical activity levels | healthy older (≥ 60 years) adults | - | were abolished | #9 |
walking-balance exercise group | increase | physical activity levels | healthy older (≥ 60 years) adults | - | improvements in physical activity levels were sustained | #10 |
inclusion of trunk strengthening to a walking-balance exercise program | no change | physical activity levels or psychological outcomes | this cohort | no significant change | did not lead to statistically significant between-group improvements | #11 |
BACKGROUND: Engaging in multimodal exercise program helps mitigate age-related decrements by improving muscle size, muscle strength, balance, and physical function. The addition of trunk-strengthening within the exercise program has been shown to significantly improve physical functioning outcomes. Whether these improvements result in improved psychological outcomes associated with increased physical activity levels requires further investigation. We sought to explore whether the inclusion of trunk-strengthening exercises to a multimodal exercise program improves objectively measured physical activity levels and self-reported psychological functioning in older adults. METHOD: We conducted a secondary analysis within a single-blinded parallel-group randomized controlled trial. Sixty-four healthy older (≥ 60 years) adults were randomly allocated to a 12-week walking and balance exercise program with (n = 32) or without (n = 32) inclusion of trunk strengthening exercises. Each program involved 12 weeks of exercise training, followed by a 6-week walking-only program (identified as detraining). Primary outcome measures for this secondary analysis were physical activity (accelerometry), perceived fear-of-falling, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. RESULTS: Following the 12-week exercise program, no significant between-group differences were observed for physical activity, sedentary behaviour, fear-of-falling, or symptoms of anxiety or depression. Significant within-group improvements (adjusted mean difference [95%CI]; percentage) were observed in moderate-intensity physical activity (6.29 [1.58, 11.00] min/day; + 26.3%) and total number of steps per min/day (0.81 [0.29 to 1.33] numbers or + 16.3%) in trunk-strengthening exercise group by week 12. With respect to within-group changes, participants in the walking-balance exercise group increased their moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (4.81 [0.06 to 9.56] min/day; + 23.5%) and reported reduction in symptoms of depression (-0.26 [-0.49 to -0.04] points or -49%) after 12 weeks of the exercise program. The exercise-induced increases in physical activity levels in the trunk-strengthening exercise group were abolished 6-weeks post-program completion. While improvements in physical activity levels were sustained in the walking-balance exercise group after detraining phase (walking only). CONCLUSIONS: The inclusion of trunk strengthening to a walking-balance exercise program did not lead to statistically significant between-group improvements in physical activity levels or psychological outcomes in this cohort following completion of the 12-week exercise program. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12613001176752), registered on 28/10/2013.