The present clinical trial aims to identify if skills acquired during aquatic exercise are more effectively transferred to a reactive balance task than land exercise. This study is designed as a double-blinded, randomized controlled clinical trial. Forty-four older adults aged 60 years or above who meet the eligibility criteria will be recruited and randomized into an aquatic exercise group or land exercise group. Each group will participate in the same balance training exercise during a single session that includes a ball throwing and catching task. A modified lean-and-release test will be implemented on land immediately before, after, and one week after the training session. The outcomes will include reaction time, rapid response accuracy, and mini-BESTest scores obtained from stepping and grasping reactions.
During the modified lean-and-release test, there are two possible settings: 1) the leg block is placed in front of both legs, and a safety handle is uncovered; or 2) the leg block is removed, and the safety handle is covered. The leg block and handle cover will be controlled via computer-triggered, servo motors. The testing session will be comprised of three blocks: 1) REACH (grasping a safety handle using their right hand while maintaining both feet fixed), 2) STEP (stepping forward using any leg), and 3) RANDOM (random variations of STEP and REACH).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
44
A ball catching and throwing exercise.
Reaction time measures (REACH)
Hand contact time during REACH following the cable release will be calculated.
Time frame: Immediately before the intervention. Duration of each assessment will be 15 minutes.
Reaction time measures (STEP1)
Foot-off time during STEP following the cable release will be calculated.
Time frame: Immediately before the intervention. Duration of each assessment will be 15 minutes.
Reaction time measures (STEP2)
Foot contact time during STEP following the cable release will be calculated.
Time frame: Immediately before the intervention. Duration of each assessment will be 15 minutes.
Rapid response accuracy
For the RANDOM block, response accuracy, defined as the percentage of accurate responses, will be calculated. To represent a composite measure of accuracy and speed of response, rapid response accuracy will be calculated using the ratio of response accuracy to the reaction time (%/ms). Foot-off and hand contact data will be used for the calculation.
Time frame: Immediately before the intervention. Duration of each assessment will be 15 minutes.
Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test
During the REACH, STEP, and RANDOM blocks, the quality of the compensatory reactions will be scored using the Reactive Postural Control section of the Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test. The scores will be ranged from 0 (worst) to 2 (best).
Time frame: Immediately before the intervention. Duration of each assessment will be 15 minutes.
Reaction time measures (REACH)
Hand contact time during REACH following the cable release will be calculated.
Time frame: Immediately after the intervention. Duration of each assessment will be 15 minutes.
Reaction time measures (STEP1)
Foot-off time during STEP following the cable release will be calculated.
Time frame: Immediately after the intervention. Duration of each assessment will be 15 minutes.
Reaction time measures (STEP2)
Foot contact time during STEP following the cable release will be calculated.
Time frame: Immediately after the intervention. Duration of each assessment will be 15 minutes.
Rapid response accuracy
For the RANDOM block, response accuracy, defined as the percentage of accurate responses, will be calculated. To represent a composite measure of accuracy and speed of response, rapid response accuracy will be calculated using the ratio of response accuracy to the reaction time (%/ms). Foot-off and hand contact data will be used for the calculation.
Time frame: Immediately after the intervention. Duration of each assessment will be 15 minutes.
Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test
During the REACH, STEP, and RANDOM blocks, the quality of the compensatory reactions will be scored using the Reactive Postural Control section of the Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test. The scores will be ranged from 0 (worst) to 2 (best).
Time frame: Immediately after the intervention. Duration of each assessment will be 15 minutes.
Reaction time measures (REACH)
Hand contact time during REACH following the cable release will be calculated.
Time frame: One week after the intervention. Duration of each assessment will be 15 minutes.
Reaction time measures (STEP1)
Foot-off time during STEP following the cable release will be calculated.
Time frame: One week after the intervention. Duration of each assessment will be 15 minutes.
Reaction time measures (STEP2)
Foot contact time during STEP following the cable release will be calculated.
Time frame: One week after the intervention. Duration of each assessment will be 15 minutes.
Rapid response accuracy
For the RANDOM block, response accuracy, defined as the percentage of accurate responses, will be calculated. To represent a composite measure of accuracy and speed of response, rapid response accuracy will be calculated using the ratio of response accuracy to the reaction time (%/ms). Foot-off and hand contact data will be used for the calculation.
Time frame: One week after the intervention. Duration of each assessment will be 15 minutes.
Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test
During the REACH, STEP, and RANDOM blocks, the quality of the compensatory reactions will be scored using the Reactive Postural Control section of the Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test. The scores will be ranged from 0 (worst) to 2 (best).
Time frame: One week after the intervention. Duration of each assessment will be 15 minutes.
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