The Effectiveness of Supervised Group-based Walking Program Among Older Adults

NCT05907252 | Active Not Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: HMRF05200108
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 200
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Aim and Objectives: The overall aim is to examine the effectiveness of supervised group-based walking intervention by comparing with non-supervised group-based walking and non-supervised individual-based walking interventions on improving physical, psychological and social outcomes among the older adults in Hong Kong. The outcomes of the research will be used as references for designing an effective walking operation manual for promoting healthy ageing among older adults in the community. Objectives (Phase 1-Intervention):

1. 1.To compare the differences of effects among supervised group-based, 5 non-supervised group-based, and non-supervised individual-based walking intervention programs, and the control group on the primary outcomes, including physical health, walking performance, loneliness, perceived social support and physical activity enjoyment among the older adults in Hong Kong.
2. 2.To compare the differences of effects among supervised group-based, non-supervised group-based, and non-supervised individual-based walking intervention programs, and the control group on the secondary outcomes, including health-related quality of life and functional fitness among the older adults in Hong Kong.
3. 3.To formulate and develop a walking operation manual for the use of implementing an effective walking program for the older adults in Hong Kong.
4. 4.To promote and organize mass walking programs with the format as informed by the Phase 1 study among the older adults in the community (n=900-1080).
5. 5.To raise the government's awareness towards the promotion of an effective walking program as informed by Phase 1 study for achieving the government's goal in promoting active aging.

Conditions

Physical Inactivity; Social Interaction

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (7)

• Physical Health Parameters - Body Composition

  Body Composition will be measured using the TANITA.

  Baseline Test: Before the intervention; Post-test: within 1 week after the intervention; Follow-up test: 3 months after the intervention (Assessing the change among the 3 time points)

• Physical Health - Resting Heart Rate

  Resting Heart Rate will be measured using the Fibit smart watch 2. Walking Performance The walking effects on participants' physical health parameters, including body composition, resting heart rate, and resting blood pressure will be assessed.

  Baseline Test: Before the intervention; Post-test: within 1 week after the intervention; Follow-up test: 3 months after the intervention (Assessing the change among the 3 time points)

• Physical Health - Resting Blood Pressure

  Both Systolic and Diastolic Resting Heart Rate will be measured. 2. Walking Performance The walking effects on participants' physical health parameters, including body composition, resting heart rate, and resting blood pressure will be assessed.

  Baseline Test: Before the intervention; Post-test: within 1 week after the intervention; Follow-up test: 3 months after the intervention (Assessing the change among the 3 time points)

• Walking Performance Walking Performance

  The time for completing the targeted steps in targeted heart rate zones of each participant in each training session will be recorded for analysis of performance and improvement on walking.

  During the procedure/intervention

• Psychological Outcomes - Loneliness

  Loneliness will be measured using the perceived loneliness scale.

  Baseline Test: Before the intervention; Post-test: within 1 week after the intervention; Follow-up test: 3 months after the intervention (Assessing the change among the 3 time points)

• Psychological Outcomes - Perceived social support

  Perceived social support will be measured using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support Scale.

  Baseline Test: Before the intervention; Post-test: within 1 week after the intervention; Follow-up test: 3 months after the intervention (Assessing the change among the 3 time points)

• Psychological Outcomes - Physical Activity Enjoyment

  Physical Activity Enjoyment will be measured using the 8-item Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES).

  Baseline Test: Before the intervention; Post-test: within 1 week after the intervention; Follow-up test: 3 months after the intervention (Assessing the change among the 3 time points)

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Health-related Quality of Life Score

  Baseline Test: Before the intervention; Post-test:within 1 week after the intervention; Follow-up test: 3 months after the intervention (Assessing the change among the 3 time points)

• Functional fitness - Agility and dynamic balance

  Baseline Test: Before the intervention; Post-test: within 1 week after the intervention; Follow-up test: 3 months after the intervention (Assessing the change among the 3 time points)

• Functional fitness - Lower Body Muscle Strength

  Baseline Test: Before the intervention; Post-test: within 1 week after the intervention; Follow-up test: 3 months after the intervention (Assessing the change among the 3 time points)

Study Arms (4)

Supervised Group-based Intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

Supervised Group-based intervention involves a professional walking fitness coach and 2 assistant coach. The coach is expected to require the participants to engage in the intervention in a form of group. The intervention groups will receive an 18-week walking training (3 sessions per week, 1 hour per session )in accordance with the intervention.

Behavioral: Supervised Group-based Intervention

Non-supervised Group-based Intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

Supervised Group-based intervention involves no professional walking fitness coach; however, the research team member will ask the participants to engage in the intervention in a form of group, and complete the intervention according to goals and targets of each session. The intervention groups will receive an 18-week walking training (3 sessions per week, 1 hour per session )in accordance with the intervention.

Behavioral: Non-supervised Group-based Intervention

Non-supervised Individual-based Intervention

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Non-supervised Individual-based Intervention involves no professional walking fitness coach; and no group forming is required. The participants will engage and complete the intervention individually. The intervention groups will receive an 18-week walking training (3 sessions per week, 1 hour per session )in accordance with the intervention.

Behavioral: Non-supervised Individual-based Intervention

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in the control group (CG) will not be arranged to participate in any walking or physical activity intervention during the whole study period (the 18-week intervention and 12-week follow-up periods), but they will be asked to keep a daily log on their physical activity, use of medicines, illness, and other health-related activities. Besides, the CG participants will be asked to report to the research resistant (RA) if a major change has been made in the aforementioned aspects. The RA will also check the daily logs of the participants through telephone or mobile phone every two weeks. Data from those who changed their normal lifestyles (especially taking up regular physical activity) will be excluded in the subsequent data analysis.

Interventions

Supervised Group-based Intervention BEHAVIORAL

The intervention will be an 18-week walking program, with 3 times per week on alternative days. A 2-week basic walking practice with 3 sessions per week, 30-45 minutes per session, and being led by a certified walking trainer. The walking practice will take reference from the exercise procedure recommended by the "Healthy Exercise for All Campaign" (LCSD, Department of Health, and Physical Fitness Association Hong Kong, China, 2013). Upon completion of the 2-week basic walking practice, participants will enter week-3 to week-18 main walking program, in which the duration of each training session will increase to 45-70 minutes, depending on the levels of training. In the walking programs, the progressive training principle (ACSM, 2009) will be adopted, using 4 levels as prescribed, in which weeks 3 to 6 are Level-1; weeks 7 to 10 are Level-2, weeks 11 to 14 are Level-3, week 15-18 are Level-4.

Supervised Group-based Intervention

Non-supervised Group-based Intervention BEHAVIORAL

The intervention will be an 18-week walking program, with 3 times per week on alternative days. A 2-week basic walking practice with 3 sessions per week, 30-45 minutes per session, and without being led by a certified walking trainer. The walking practice will take reference from the exercise procedure recommended by the "Healthy Exercise for All Campaign" (LCSD, Department of Health, and Physical Fitness Association Hong Kong, China, 2013). Upon completion of the 2-week basic walking practice, participants will enter week-3 to week-18 main walking program, in which the duration of each training session will increase to 45-70 minutes, depending on the levels of training. In the walking programs, the progressive training principle (ACSM, 2009) will be adopted, using 4 levels as prescribed, in which weeks 3 to 6 are Level-1; weeks 7 to 10 are Level-2, weeks 11 to 14 are Level-3, week 15-18 are Level-4.

Non-supervised Group-based Intervention

Non-supervised Individual-based Intervention BEHAVIORAL

The intervention will be an 18-week walking program, with 3 times per week on alternative days. A 2-week basic walking practice with 3 sessions per week, 30-45 minutes per session, and without being led by a certified walking trainer. The walking practice will take reference from the exercise procedure recommended by the "Healthy Exercise for All Campaign" (LCSD, Department of Health, and Physical Fitness Association Hong Kong, China, 2013). Upon completion of the 2-week basic walking practice, participants will enter week-3 to week-18 main walking program, in which the duration of each training session will increase to 45-70 minutes, depending on the levels of training. In the walking programs, the progressive training principle (ACSM, 2009) will be adopted, using 4 levels as prescribed, in which weeks 3 to 6 are Level-1; weeks 7 to 10 are Level-2, weeks 11 to 14 are Level-3, week 15-18 are Level-4.

Non-supervised Individual-based Intervention

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Chinese older adults aged 65 years old or above
• capable of walking without assistive device
• healthy and living independently in communities
• being physically inactive

You may not qualify if:

• with cardiovascular or related diseases that prevent from intensive walking
• do not pass the PAR-Q screening or with physician's advice on the readiness of participation in walking training
• diagnosed with cognitive impairment

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Education University of Hong Kong: lead

Study Sites (1)

Education University of Hong Kong

Tai Po, Hong Kong

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Wong MYC, Leung KM, Thogersen-Ntoumani C, Ou K, Chung PK. Effectiveness of a supervised group-based walking program on physical, psychological and social outcomes among older adults: a randomised controlled trial protocol. BMJ Open. 2024 Oct 22;14(10):e088315. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-088315.

  PMID: 39438105 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sedentary Behavior

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 2, 2023
• First Posted: June 18, 2023
• Study Start: June 22, 2023
• Primary Completion: February 20, 2025
• Study Completion: March 31, 2025
• Last Updated: March 3, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL

Locations

HK (1)