Effects of Resistance-based Exercise Snacks With Varying Fragmentation Patterns on Lower Limb Function and Executive Cognition in Pre-frail Older Adults

NCT07551206 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: CUPES-PY-2026420
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This four-arm randomized pilot trial (N=48-60) compares four fragmentation patterns of a three-exercise resistance snack (sit-to-stand, squat, heel raise; 15 repetitions/exercise/day) in pre-frail older adults (Fried score 1-2, ≥70 years). Groups differ by repetitions/bout×bouts/day: G1=1×15, G2=3×5, G3=5×3, G4=15×1. Outcomes (lower limb strength, balance, executive function) are assessed at baseline, week 4, and week 8. The study will determine the optimal fragmentation pattern and provide effect sizes for a future definitive trial.

Conditions

Effects of Exercise on Older Adults

Keywords

Exercise snacks; Resistance training; Pre-frail older adults

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Lower Limb Muscle Strength

  Measured by the 30-Second Chair Stand Test (30-CST). The number of times a participant can stand up from a sitting position and sit back down within 30 seconds. A higher score indicates better lower limb strength.

  Baseline (Week 0), Mid-intervention (Week 4), Post-intervention (Week 8)

• Dynamic Balance and Mobility

  Measured by the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. The time (in seconds) taken to stand up from a chair, walk 3 meters, turn around, walk back, and sit down. A shorter time indicates better dynamic balance and mobility.

  Baseline (Week 0), Mid-intervention (Week 4), Post-intervention (Week 8)

Study Arms (4)

Arm 1：Highly Fragmented Exercise Snack Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Arm 1：Participants perform 1 repetition of each exercise (sit-to-stand, squat, and heel raise) per bout, 15 bouts per day, for 8 weeks. Each bout takes approximately 30 seconds.

Behavioral: Highly Fragmented Exercise Snack

Arm 2：Moderately Fragmented Exercise Snack Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Arm 2：Participants perform 3 repetitions of each exercise (sit-to-stand, squat, and heel raise) per bout, 5 bouts per day, for 8 weeks. Each bout takes approximately 90 seconds.

Behavioral: Moderately Fragmented Exercise Snack

Arm 3：Lowly Fragmented Exercise Snack Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Arm 3：Participants perform 5 repetitions of each exercise (sit-to-stand, squat, and heel raise) per bout, 3 bouts per day, for 8 weeks. Each bout takes approximately 2.5 minutes.

Behavioral: Lowly Fragmented Exercise Snack

Arm 4：Consecutive Control Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Arm 4：Participants perform 15 repetitions of each exercise (sit-to-stand, squat, and heel raise) per bout, 1 bout per day, for 8 weeks. Each bout takes approximately 7.5 minutes.

Behavioral: Consecutive Exercise (Active Control)

Interventions

Highly Fragmented Exercise Snack BEHAVIORAL

Participants in Arm 1 perform a resistance-based exercise snack consisting of three exercises: sit-to-stand, squat, and heel raise. Each bout contains 1 repetition of each exercise (1-1-1 structure). Participants complete 15 bouts per day, with each bout taking approximately 30 seconds. The total daily volume is 15 repetitions per exercise (45 total repetitions). The intervention period is 8 weeks. Participants are instructed to use event-based triggers (e.g., after each bathroom visit or after drinking water) to initiate each bout. A demonstration video and a daily exercise log are provided.

Also known as: Arm 1

Arm 1：Highly Fragmented Exercise Snack Group

Moderately Fragmented Exercise Snack BEHAVIORAL

Participants in Arm 2 perform a resistance-based exercise snack consisting of three exercises: sit-to-stand, squat, and heel raise. Each bout contains 3 repetitions of each exercise (3-3-3 structure). Participants complete 5 bouts per day, with each bout taking approximately 90 seconds. The total daily volume is 15 repetitions per exercise (45 total repetitions). The intervention period is 8 weeks. Participants are instructed to perform bouts at fixed time points (e.g., morning, mid-morning, noon, afternoon, evening). A demonstration video and a daily exercise log are provided.

Also known as: Arm 2

Arm 2：Moderately Fragmented Exercise Snack Group

Lowly Fragmented Exercise Snack BEHAVIORAL

Participants in Arm 3 perform a resistance-based exercise snack consisting of three exercises: sit-to-stand, squat, and heel raise. Each bout contains 5 repetitions of each exercise (5-5-5 structure). Participants complete 3 bouts per day, with each bout taking approximately 2.5 minutes. The total daily volume is 15 repetitions per exercise (45 total repetitions). The intervention period is 8 weeks. Participants are instructed to perform bouts at three fixed time points (e.g., morning, noon, evening). A demonstration video and a daily exercise log are provided.

Also known as: Arm 3

Arm 3：Lowly Fragmented Exercise Snack Group

Consecutive Exercise (Active Control) BEHAVIORAL

Participants in Arm 4 perform a resistance-based exercise session consisting of three exercises: sit-to-stand, squat, and heel raise. Each bout contains 15 repetitions of each exercise (15-15-15 structure). Participants complete 1 bout per day, with the bout taking approximately 7.5 minutes. The total daily volume is 15 repetitions per exercise (45 total repetitions). The intervention period is 8 weeks. Participants are instructed to perform the bout at a fixed time each day (e.g., 10:00 AM). A demonstration video and a daily exercise log are provided.

Also known as: Arm 4

Arm 4：Consecutive Control Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years+
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• \. Age 65 years or older 2. Community-dwelling (living independently, not in a nursing home or long-term care facility) 3. Pre-frail status confirmed by Fried Frailty Phenotype score of 1-2 4. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≥24 5. Able to walk independently with or without a cane 6. No regular lower limb strength training (less than 2 times per week) in the past 3 months 7. Willing to adhere to the 8-week exercise intervention and complete all assessments 8. Provide written informed consent before any study-related procedures

You may not qualify if:

• \. Lower limb fracture or joint replacement surgery within the past 6 months 2. Unstable angina or uncontrolled hypertension (resting systolic blood pressure ≥160 mmHg) 3. Severe osteoporosis (T-score \<-2.5 with history of fragility fracture) 4. Neurological disorders affecting motor function (e.g., Parkinson's disease, post-stroke hemiplegia) 5. Severe cognitive impairment (MMSE score \<24) 6. Unstable cardiac or pulmonary disease (e.g., recent myocardial infarction, severe COPD exacerbation) 7. Severe visual or hearing impairment that limits ability to follow instructions or perform exercises safely 8. Participation in another interventional clinical trial within the past 30 days 9. Any other medical or psychological condition that, in the opinion of the principal investigator, would compromise participant safety or study adherence

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, China: lead

Study Sites (1)

Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing

Beijing, China

Location

Related Links

• Related Info

MeSH Terms

Interventions

DMAC2L protein, human

Study Officials

• yongzhao fan

  Capital University of Physical Education And Sports

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Central Study Contacts

yongzhao fan, PHD

CONTACT

China：13051065318; fanyongzhao@cupes.edu.cn

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: This is a four-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled pilot trial. Sixty community-dwelling pre-frail older adults (Fried frailty phenotype score 1-2, aged ≥70 years) will be randomly assigned to one of four groups (1:1:1:1 ratio). All groups perform a fixed total daily volume of 15 repetitions per exercise (sit-to-stand, squat, and heel raise), resulting in 45 total repetitions per day.
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Model Details: This is a four-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled pilot trial. Sixty community-dwelling pre-frail older adults (Fried frailty phenotype score 1-2, aged ≥70 years) will be randomly assigned to one of four groups (1:1:1:1 ratio). All groups perform a fixed total daily volume of 15 repetitions per exercise (sit-to-stand, squat, and heel raise), resulting in 45 total repetitions per day.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 19, 2026
• First Posted: April 24, 2026
• Study Start: May 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 5, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 15, 2026
• Last Updated: April 24, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: SAP
• Time Frame: The IPD and supporting information will be made available starting from 6 months after the publication of the study results and will remain available for 5 years.
• Access Criteria: The IPD and supporting information will be available to qualified researchers upon request. Access will be granted after a data-sharing agreement is signed to ensure the data will be used responsibly and in accordance with ethical guidelines. Researchers can request access by contacting the Principal Investigator at fanyongzhao@cupes.edu.cn.

Locations

CN (1)