Effects of 6-Month Square Stepping Exercise Intervention on Physical and Cognitive Competence, Regucalcin, and Body Composition in Older People: Study Protocol for a Randomised Control Trial

Juan Manuel Franco-García, Jorge Carlos-Vivas, Damián Pereira-Payo, José Carmelo Adsuar, María Mendoza-Muñoz, Manuel Granado-Sánchez, Raquel Pastor-Cisneros, Laura Muñoz-Bermejo, Sabina Barrios-Fernández, Hadi Nobari, Narcis Gusi and Jorge Pérez-Gómez
Additional contact information
Juan Manuel Franco-García: Health, Economy, Motricity and Education (HEME) Research Group, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
Jorge Carlos-Vivas: Promoting a Healthy Society (PHeSO) Research Group, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
Damián Pereira-Payo: Health, Economy, Motricity and Education (HEME) Research Group, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
José Carmelo Adsuar: Promoting a Healthy Society (PHeSO) Research Group, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
María Mendoza-Muñoz: Promoting a Healthy Society (PHeSO) Research Group, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
Manuel Granado-Sánchez: Promoting a Healthy Society (PHeSO) Research Group, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
Raquel Pastor-Cisneros: Promoting a Healthy Society (PHeSO) Research Group, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
Laura Muñoz-Bermejo: Social Impact and Innovation in Health (InHEALTH) Research Group, University Centre of Merida, University of Extremadura, 06800 Mérida, Spain
Sabina Barrios-Fernández: Social Impact and Innovation in Health (InHEALTH) Research Group, University Centre of Merida, University of Extremadura, 06800 Mérida, Spain
Hadi Nobari: Health, Economy, Motricity and Education (HEME) Research Group, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
Narcis Gusi: Physical Activity and Quality of Life Research Group (AFYCAV), Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
Jorge Pérez-Gómez: Health, Economy, Motricity and Education (HEME) Research Group, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 5, 1-10

Abstract: Background: Age-related changes negatively affect physical fitness, body composition, and executive function and produce a decrease in regucalcin level expression in blood. The square-stepping exercise (SSE) is a balance and lower-limb strength training programme used to prevent falls and stimulate cognitive function in older adults. This project aims to analyse the effects of SSE on executive function, regucalcin expression, fall prevention, body composition, and physical fitness in people over 65 years old. Methods: A randomized controlled trial will be conducted. A total of 90 older people over 65 years old will be recruited and randomly assigned to 2 groups: experimental ( n = 45) and control ( n = 45). The experimental group will perform an SSE-based intervention for 6 months (2 times per week), while the control group do not follow any treatment. Results: The main outcome will be balance, but other motor (body mass index, upper- and lower-limb strength, flexibility, and speed-agility) and cognitive variables (executive functions and attention) will be assessed. The expression of regucalcin levels will also be evaluated. Therefore, this project aims to analyse the effect of a 6-month SSE intervention on cognitive and motor competence, physical fitness, regucalcin levels, fall risk, and body composition in older people. If the intervention proves to be effective, it could be implemented in centres, entities, and associations specialized in elderly care.

Keywords: dual tasks; elderly; fall-risk; haemoencephalography; SMP30; training (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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