Background: There is on one hand sufficient evidence showing strong association between resilience and self-rated successful aging. On the other hand, strength training could contribute the cultivation of resilience among older adults. Therefore, the current study aims to examine the effectiveness of resistance training on resilience among Chinese older adults in Hong Kong. Methods: This study will apply a three-group, double blinded (outcome assessors and data analysts), randomized controlled trial (RCT) to examine the effectiveness of the interventions on resilience, functional fitness, and health related quality of life immediately after a 16-week intervention, as well as the residual effects 12 weeks after completion of the interventions. Discussion: It is expected that resistance training is promising or even superior to aerobic training in the improvement of resilience. Given the limited evidence on the literature, it is urgently needed to explore the effects of resistance training on the improvement of resilience in older adults. Findings of the current study can contribute to the development of effective resistant training programs for the promotion of resilience among older adults.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
150
Participants will receive a 16-week resistance training program, with 3 times a week (a total of 48 training sessions) and 60 minutes per session intervention, which is adopted from the 12-week resistance training program introduced in the book "Growing Stronger: Strength Training for Older Adults" (Seguin et al., 2002), with minor modifications under the advice of Physical Fitness Association of Hong Kong, China (PFA).
The active concurrent control group will receive Eight-form Yang-style Tai Chi program which has been confirmed feasible and will be taught by the qualified coach.
Hong Kong Baptist University Sports Hall
Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Resilience - The Chinese Version of Resilience Scale
Chinese version of RS (CRS) will be used to measure participants' resilience in the study. The CRS was modified from the Resilience Scale developed by Wagnild and Young with subsequent validation in Chinese older population and confirmed its four-factor structure: equanimity, meaningfulness, ceaseless self-improvement, and self-reliance. It is a 7-point Likert scale from 1 (highly disagree) to 7 (highly agree), with a greater score mirroring higher level of resilience. Three levels are set, with scores of 145 and above indicating moderate to high resilience, scores from 126 to 144 indicating low to moderate levels of resilience, and scores less than 126 indicating low resilience.
Time frame: The measure is conducted to examine the change from baseline resilience level at 4 months and at 7 months.
Functional fitness - Senior Fitness Test (SFT): Body Composition
The functional fitness (FF) of participants will be measured using the Senior Fitness Test (SFT) battery. The SFT is a widely used measurement for functional fitness of older adults in the ageing and physical activity area. Within the SFT, the body mass index (BMI) will be used to examine the body composition of the participants.
Time frame: The measure is conducted to examine the change from baseline body composition at 4 months and at 7 months.
Functional fitness - Senior Fitness Test (SFT): Muscle Strength
The functional fitness (FF) of participants will be measured using the Senior Fitness Test (SFT) battery. The SFT is a widely used measurement for functional fitness of older adults in the ageing and physical activity area. Within the SFT, the 30s chair stand test and 30s arm curl test will be used to examine the muscle strength of the participants.
Time frame: The measure is conducted to examine the change from baseline Muscle Strength and Endurance level at 4 months and at 7 months.
Functional fitness - Senior Fitness Test (SFT): Aerobic Endurance
The functional fitness (FF) of participants will be measured using the Senior Fitness Test (SFT) battery. The SFT is a widely used measurement for functional fitness of older adults in the ageing and physical activity area. Within the SFT, 2min step test will be used to examine the aerobic endurance of the participants.
Time frame: The measure is conducted to examine the change from baseline aerobic endurance level at 4 months and at 7 months.
Functional fitness - Senior Fitness Test (SFT): Flexibility
The functional fitness (FF) of participants will be measured using the Senior Fitness Test (SFT) battery. The SFT is a widely used measurement for functional fitness of older adults in the ageing and physical activity area. Within the SFT, chair sit-and-reach test and back scratch test will be used to examine the flexibility of the participants.
Time frame: The measure is conducted to examine the change from baseline flexibility at 4 months and at 7 months.
Functional fitness - Senior Fitness Test (SFT): Motor Ability and Balance
The functional fitness (FF) of participants will be measured using the Senior Fitness Test (SFT) battery. The SFT is a widely used measurement for functional fitness of older adults in the ageing and physical activity area. Within the SFT, 8ft up-and-go test will be used to examine the motor ability and balance of the participants.
Time frame: The measure is conducted to examine the change from baseline motor ability and balance at 4 months and at 7 months.
Health related quality of life - The Chinese Version of Short Form-36 (C-SF-36)
The SF-36 consists of 36 items covering two dimensions-physical health (physical functioning, role limitations due to physical problems, role limitations due to emotional problems, and social functioning) and mental health (mental health, vitality, body pain, and general health perception).
Time frame: The measure is conducted to examine the change from baseline quality of life level at 4 months and at 7 months.
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