The Application of an Innovative Reactive Agility Testing System for Assessment in Older Adults With Dynapenia

Overview

Before the experiment, the researchers explain the purpose and procedures to the participants. After signing the informed consent form and completing basic personal information, participants perform a 5-minute warm-up. They then practice the test procedure 1-3 times to become familiar with the visual stimuli, followed by a 3-minute rest before the formal experiment. Body composition and physical performance are assessed using handgrip strength, the five-time sit-to-stand test, and the skeletal muscle mass index. Fall risk is evaluated using a localized fall risk awareness questionnaire. Agility is tested using a reaction-based running task. Participants stand in a 1 m × 1 m preparation area, and one of two sensor lights placed 3 meters away lights up randomly. Participants run forward, pass through a photo gate, and touch the light to turn it off. Decision time, movement time, and total time are recorded over 10 trials.

Before the experiment begins, the researchers will first explain the experimental procedures and purpose to the participants. Participants will then complete an informed consent form and provide their basic personal information. After that, participants will perform a 5-minute warm-up exercise. To familiarize participants with the visual stimuli, they will practice the test procedure one to three times. After the practice session, participants will rest for 3 minutes before the formal experiment begins. * (1) Body Composition and Physical Performance Data * \*\*Handgrip Strength:\*\* Measured using a handgrip dynamometer. Three trials are performed, and the maximum value is recorded as the handgrip strength. * \*\*Five-Time Sit-to-Stand Test:\*\* The participant sits on a standard testing chair with the hips and knees flexed at 90 degrees. Without using the hands for assistance, the participant performs five sit-to-stand movements as quickly as possible. The completion time is recorded. * \*\*Skeletal Muscle Mass Index (SMI):\*\* The participant stands barefoot on the measurement device and holds the hand electrodes to obtain appendicular muscle mass. The appendicular muscle mass is then divided by height squared to calculate the skeletal muscle mass index. * (2) Fall Risk Fall risk is assessed using a localized Fall Risk Awareness Scale. A higher score indicates a greater risk of falling and a higher level of fear of falling. \### (3) Agility Test The participant stands in the preparation area located at the center of the testing field, which measures 1 m × 1 m. One sensor light is placed on each side, each positioned 3 meters away from the preparation area. After the system is activated, one of the lights will illuminate randomly between 1 and 5 seconds. Once the light turns on, the participant moves forward quickly, passes through a photo gate next to the preparation area, and continues forward until touching the sensor light to turn it off. The system records: * \*\*Decision time:\*\* the time from when the light turns on to when the participant passes through the photo gate. * \*\*Movement time:\*\* the time from passing through the photo gate to touching and turning off the sensor light. After a total of 10 trials (combined left and right sides), the test ends. Finally, the system calculates the \*\*total time\*\*, which is the sum of the decision time and movement time.