Enhancing Physical Reserve to Promote Resilience in Physically Frail Older Adults
Enhancing Physical Reserve to Promote Cognitive and Physical Resilience in Physically Frail Older Adults: A 3-Month Randomized Controlled Trial
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
224 participants
Jan 19, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to assess the efficacy of combined aerobic and resistance training in enhancing physical reserve in older adults with physical frailty. Investigator contend that enhanced physical reserve will enable preservation of cognitive and physical function. The main questions aims to answer are: (1) Compared with usual care (i.e., CON), will 3-month aerobic and resistance training (ATRT) improve physical reserve in older adults with physical frailty? (2) Compared with CON, will ATRT lead to changes in the neural network organization? (3) Will improved physical reserve lead to better maintenance of cognitive and physical functioning in spite of presence of white matter hyperintensities (WMH)?
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria7
- are community-dwelling (i.e., not residing in a nursing home or extended care unit) ;
- scored < 9/12 on the SPPB;
- scored >18/30 on the MoCA;
- are able to walk independently; use of walking aid is acceptable;
- are able to safely engage in exercise as indicated by the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire Plus33 and confirmed by their physician;
- have internet at home; and
- are able to provide written informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria4
- diagnosed with dementia or stroke;
- self-report engaging in strength and balance training exercises > two-times-per-week in the 3 months prior to screening;
- unable to understand, speak, and read Cantonese/Chinese/English proficiently; and
- contraindications for MRI such as MRI-incompatible implants.
Interested in this trial?
Get notified about updates and connect with the research team.
Interventions
The aerobic training sessions will involve standardized sets of stationary training, including on-spot jogging, burpees, aerobic steppers, agility ladders, and non-contact boxing. Each participant will rotate through the stations within the 40-minute training period, with one-minute of rest breaks in-between each station. A 20-point rate-of-perceived exertion will be used to monitor participant status during training with a target rate-of-perceived exertion of 16-17. The resistance training sessions will involve utilizing free weights and resistance bands to stimulate muscle strength. The set of movements include triceps extension, dumbbell bicep curls, seated overhead dumbbell press, bent-over dumbbell row, wall squats, standing calf raises, wall push-ups.
Participant Retention and Care: Investigator will implement strategies to promote participant retention by: (1) conducting monthly phone calls by the project assistant to encourage and motivate participants to stay within the study; (2) discussing participant barriers/distress and developing coping/action plans; (3) providing monthly updates in the form of in-person/online/phone sessions; and (4) offering a comprehensive report on cognitive function, mobility, brain MRI, and monetary compensation for their time upon completion of the study. Investigator will facilitate participant care by recording incidental findings from the MRI and providing clinical assessment data that may be shared with healthcare providers upon request. All personnel on the research team will be trained to detect/assess distress or any possibility of harm and respond appropriately.
Locations(1)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
For the most up-to-date information, visit the official listing.
NCT07513701