Effectiveness of resistance training on resilience in Hong Kong Chinese older adults: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Pak-Kwong Chung,Chun Hu,Yanan Zhao,Ming Yu Claudia Wong,Chun-Qing Zhang

doi:10.1186/s12877-021-02197-8

Abstract

BackgroundThere 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.MethodsThis 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.DiscussionIt 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.Trial registrationThe trial is registered at the ClinicalTrials.gov PRS (Trial ID: NCT04690465; Date of First Posted: 30/12/2020).

Highlights

There is on one hand sufficient evidence showing strong association between resilience and selfrated successful aging
The double blinding adopted in this study is to reduce the bias and to ensure that those who are collecting the outcome measures, and those who are inputting and analysing the data, have no knowledge regarding groups allocation status of the study participants [21]
In our previous study using the C-Short Form-36 (SF-36) as the measure for the older adults [41], we found that the Cronbach alpha was 0.846 for the physical dimension and 0.837 for the mental dimension of quality of life, indicating that the Chinese version of the SF-36 has high convergent validity

Summary

Methods

Study design This study will apply a three-group, double blinded (outcome assessors and data analysts), randomised 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. In considering the participants who are a group of older adults without regular exercise experience may need more time to adapt to regular exercise, a longer duration by extending the intervention period to 4 months (16 weeks) will be adopted in this study. In order to achieve a safe and effective teaching and learning, both resistance training and Tai Chi groups will be randomly divided into two sub-groups, with 20 participants in a sub-group. Part III (week 7–10) To increase exercise to 10, and add adjustable ankle weights light walking Ten exercises: squats, wall push-ups, toe stands, finger marching, pelvic light walking and tilt, floor back extension, biceps curl, overhead press, knee extension, knee and stretching curl stretching. The whole project is expected to complete within 18 months

Discussion

Background

Findings