The Effect of Stretching Exercises on Vascular Function, Blood Flow, and Walking Function in Middle and Older Adults

N/AUnknownNCT04871906

National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University48 enrolled

Overview

This study examines the relationship between circulation and walking speed after performing 8-week stretching exercises.

This study examines the relationship between circulations and walking speeds. Most studies in the field of stretching exercises have only focused on improvements of endothelial functions in younger population; however, I aim to emphasize its effects on different populations, such as people with frailty, low physical activity level, weakness and postoperative status. Previous research has established that stretching exercises can improve walking function by modulations of musculoskeletal or neuromuscular system. The importance and originality of this study are that it explores the relationship between circulation and walking speed. Due to the inability to extrapolate outcomes; short-term effect of improved blood vessel function; the unclear mechanism of stretching exercises; and considering the different physical fitness groups, I design a home-based, low-dose, and anatomic chain-based stretching exercises to verify the possible mechanism and effects.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Stretch

Interventions

stretching exercisesOTHER

Our interventions are home-based stretching exercises. The experimental group will receive 6 stretching exercises which stretch 20-30 seconds, relax for 10 seconds, and repeat 5 times for each side. It will take 25-30 minutes every day for continuous 8 weeks. Those include stretching of the deep front line, spiral line, superficial front line, lateral line, superficial back line, and plantar flexors. Designed concepts are the following three: 1) based on ''Anatomy- Train'' theory, 2) emphasize on movements of trunk and pelvis, and 3) stress on the stretching of lower extremities.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 20 YearsMax age: 85 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. age between 20-85 years old 2. Follow instructions 3. Walk with/without assistive technology Exclusion Criteria: 1. Unstable acute or chronic health conditions 2. Peripheral vascular diseases 3. Non-musculoskeletal problems that would limit stretching exercises 4. Participate in other exercise programs

Locations (1)

National Yang Ming University

Taipei, Taiwan

RECRUITING

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

vascular functions-Stiffness index(1)

(Stiffness index, SI，unit：m/s)

Time frame: pre-intervention(1st week)

vascular functions-Stiffness index(2)

(Stiffness index, SI，unit：m/s)

Time frame: during intervention(4th week)

vascular functions-Stiffness index(3)

(Stiffness index, SI，unit：m/s)

Time frame: post-intervention(8th week)

vascular functions-Reflective index(1)

(Reflective index, RI，unit：％)

Time frame: pre-intervention(1st week)

vascular functions-Reflective index(2)

(Reflective index, RI，unit：％)

Time frame: during intervention(4th week)

vascular functions-Reflective index(3)

(Reflective index, RI，unit：％)

Time frame: post-intervention(8th week)

vascular functions-Vascular age

(Vascular age, VA，unit：year-old)

Time frame: pre-intervention(1st week)

Ultrasound parameters-peak-systolic velocity(1)

（peak-systolic velocity, PSV)

Time frame: pre-intervention(1st week)

Ultrasound parameters-peak-systolic velocity(2)

（peak-systolic velocity, PSV）

Time frame: during intervention(4th week)

Central Contacts

Mei-Wun Tsai, Ph.D

CONTACT

+886+2+28267939 tmwk@ym.edu.tw

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Ultrasound parameters-peak-systolic velocity(3)

（peak-systolic velocity, PSV）

Time frame: post-intervention(8th week)

Ultrasound parameters-end-diastolic velocity(1)

（end-diastolic velocity, EDV）

Time frame: pre-intervention(1st week)

Ultrasound parameters-end-diastolic velocity(2)

（end-diastolic velocity, EDV）

Time frame: during intervention(4th week)

Ultrasound parameters-end-diastolic velocity(3)

（end-diastolic velocity, EDV）

Time frame: post-intervention(8th week)

Ultrasound parameters-mean velocity(1)

（mean velocity, mV）

Time frame: pre-intervention(1st week)

Ultrasound parameters-mean velocity(2)

（mean velocity, mV）

Time frame: during intervention(4th week)

Ultrasound parameters-mean velocity(3)

（mean velocity, mV）

Time frame: post-intervention(8th week)

Ultrasound parameters-mean volume flow(1)

(mean volume flow, vFl)

Time frame: pre-intervention(1st week)

Ultrasound parameters-mean volume flow(2)

(mean volume flow, vFl)

Time frame: during intervention(4th week)

Ultrasound parameters-mean volume flow(3)

(mean volume flow, vFl)

Time frame: post-intervention(8th week)

Ultrasound parameters-resistance index(1)

(resistance index, RI)

Time frame: pre-intervention(1st week)

Ultrasound parameters-resistance index(2)

(resistance index, RI)

Time frame: during intervention(4th week)

Ultrasound parameters-resistance index(3)

(resistance index, RI)

Time frame: post-intervention(8th week)

Ultrasound parameters-pulsatility index(1)

(pulsatility index, PI)

Time frame: pre-intervention(1st week)

Ultrasound parameters-pulsatility index(2)

(pulsatility index, PI)

Time frame: during intervention(4th week)

Ultrasound parameters-pulsatility index(3)

(pulsatility index, PI)

Time frame: post-intervention(8th week)

Ultrasound parameters-diameter(1)

（diameter, D）

Time frame: pre-intervention(1st week)

Ultrasound parameters-diameter(2)

（diameter, D）

Time frame: during intervention(4th week)

Ultrasound parameters-diameter(3)

（diameter, D）

Time frame: post-intervention(8th week)

Ultrasound parameters-area(1)

（area, A）

Time frame: pre-intervention(1st week)

Ultrasound parameters-area(2)

（area, A）

Time frame: during intervention(4th week)

Ultrasound parameters-area(3)

（area, A）

Time frame: post-intervention(8th week)

walking speed-preferred(1)

Timed 10-Meter Walk Test (preferred)

Time frame: pre-intervention(1st week)

walking speed-preferred(2)

Timed 10-Meter Walk Test (preferred)

Time frame: during intervention(4th week)

walking speed-preferred(3)

Timed 10-Meter Walk Test (preferred)

Time frame: post-intervention(8th week)

walking speed-fast(1)

Timed 10-Meter Walk Test (fast)

Time frame: pre-intervention(1st week)

walking speed-fast(2)

Timed 10-Meter Walk Test (fast)

Time frame: during intervention(4th week)

walking speed-fast(3)

Timed 10-Meter Walk Test (fast)

Time frame: post-intervention(8th week)

Secondary Outcomes

body composition-height

height(cm)

Time frame: pre-intervention(1st week)

body composition-weight

weight(kg)

Time frame: pre-intervention(1st week)

body composition-waist circumference

waist circumference(cm)

Time frame: pre-intervention(1st week)

vital sign-blood pressure(1)

blood pressure(mmHg)

Time frame: pre-intervention(1st week)

vital sign-blood pressure(2)

blood pressure(mmHg)

Time frame: during intervention(4th week)

vital sign-blood pressure(3)

blood pressure(mmHg)

Time frame: post-intervention(8th week)

vital sign-heart rate(1)

heart rate(bpm)

Time frame: pre-intervention(1st week)

vital sign-heart rate(2)

heart rate(bpm)

Time frame: during intervention(4th week)

vital sign-heart rate(3)

heart rate(bpm)

Time frame: post-intervention(8th week)

flexibility-chair sit and reach test (1)

chair sit and reach test (cm)

Time frame: pre-intervention(1st week)

flexibility-chair sit and reach test (2)

chair sit and reach test (cm)

Time frame: during intervention(4th week)

flexibility-chair sit and reach test (3)

chair sit and reach test (cm)

Time frame: post-intervention(8th week)

grip strength

hand dynamometer

Time frame: pre-intervention(1st week)

cognitive function

Montreal Cognitive Assessment.Minimum value is 0 and maximum value is 30, and higher scores mean a better outcome

Time frame: pre-intervention(1st week)

frailty

SOF (Study of Osteoporotic Fractures). Minimum value is 0 and maximum value is 3, and higher scores mean a worse outcome

Time frame: pre-intervention(1st week)

basic data

gender, age, education, living status, smoking, and exercise habits

Time frame: pre-intervention(1st week)

ACSM-PAR-Q+

The Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for Everyone AND follow-up questions about their medical conditions (PAR-Q+) is used to identify whether subjects are at risk in engaging in exercises. Thus, researchers can prescribe individual exercise prescriptions.

Time frame: pre-intervention(1st week)

IPAQ

International Physical Activity Questionnaire to investigate their physical activity levels. Higher the amount of physical activity (min-METs/week) means a more active life-style(physical activity level).

Time frame: pre-intervention(1st week)

fitness

(Duke activity status index, DASI) Minimum value is 0 and maximum value is 58.2, and higher scores mean a better physical activity level.

Time frame: pre-intervention(1st week)

adherence of exercise

usage records from the Line app

Time frame: post-intervention(8th week)