Effects of Aquatic Exercise in Older Adults With Sarcopenia:A Randomized Trial
Effects of Aquatic Exercise Program on Muscle Strength, Muscle Mass, Physical Performance and Quality of Life in Older Adults With Sarcopenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
1 other identifier
interventional
44
1 country
2
Brief Summary
Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome characterized by age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and physical performance, leading to increased risk of falls, functional decline, and reduced quality of life. Exercise interventions, particularly resistance training, are effective in managing sarcopenia; however, land-based exercises may be challenging for older adults due to balance impairments, joint problems, and fear of falling. Pool-based exercise programs may offer a safe and feasible alternative, as water buoyancy reduces joint loading while providing resistance to support muscle strengthening. Despite these potential benefits, evidence regarding the effects of aquatic exercise in individuals with sarcopenia remains limited, especially in Türkiye. This study aims to evaluate the effects of a 6-week supervised pool-based exercise program on muscle strength, muscle morphology, physical performance, mood, and quality of life in individuals aged 65 years and older with sarcopenia. Sarcopenia will be identified using the Sonographic Thigh Adjustment Ratio (STAR), based on ultrasound measurements of anterior thigh muscle thickness. In addition, appendicular skeletal muscle mass will be assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (ASM/height²). Outcome measures will include ultrasound-based muscle thickness, STAR, muscle strength, functional performance tests, depressive symptoms, and health-related quality of life. Assessments will be performed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at 1-month follow-up.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable
Started Apr 2026
Shorter than P25 for not_applicable
2 active sites
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
Click on a node to explore related trials.
Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
Study Start
First participant enrolled
April 1, 2026
CompletedFirst Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
April 28, 2026
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
May 8, 2026
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
June 1, 2026
ExpectedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
July 1, 2026
May 8, 2026
May 1, 2026
2 months
April 28, 2026
May 4, 2026
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (1)
Anterior thigh muscle thickness measured by ultrasound
Anterior thigh muscle thickness will be measured by musculoskeletal ultrasound. STAR will be calculated by dividing anterior thigh muscle thickness by body mass index.
From baseline to the end of treatment and 1 month after treatment completion
Secondary Outcomes (10)
Sonographic Thigh Adjustment Ratio (STAR)
Baseline, immediately after the 6-week intervention, and 1 month post-treatment follow-up
Handgrip Strength
Baseline, immediately after the 6-week intervention, and 1 month post-treatment follow-up
Five Times Chair Stand Test
Baseline, immediately after the 6-week intervention, and 1 month post-treatment follow-up
Appendicular Skeletal Muscle Mass Index (ASM/height²)
Baseline, immediately after the 6-week intervention, and 1 month post-treatment follow-up
4-Meter Gait Speed Test
Baseline, immediately after the 6-week intervention, and 1 month post-treatment follow-up
- +5 more secondary outcomes
Study Arms (2)
Aquatic Exercise Plus Home Exercise Group
EXPERIMENTALParticipants in this group will receive an aquatic exercise program in addition to a standardized home exercise program. The aquatic exercise program will be conducted under supervision and will include exercises aimed at improving muscle strength, balance, and physical performance. The home exercise program will be prescribed to be performed regularly throughout the study period.
Home Exercise Only Group
ACTIVE COMPARATORParticipants in this group will receive only a standardized home exercise program. The program will include exercises targeting muscle strength and physical function and will be performed regularly throughout the study period.
Interventions
The aquatic exercise program will be conducted under supervision in a pool environment for a total of 15 sessions over 6 weeks. The program will consist of 2 sessions per week during the first 3 weeks and 3 sessions per week during the last 3 weeks. Each session will include structured exercises designed to improve muscle strength, balance, and functional performance in older adults with sarcopenia. Participants will also continue a standardized home exercise program throughout the study period.
Participants in the control group will perform a standardized home exercise program for a total of 6 weeks. The program will consist of exercises designed to improve muscle strength, balance, and functional performance in older adults with sarcopenia. Participants will be instructed to perform the exercises regularly at home throughout the study period. No supervised aquatic exercise or additional intervention will be provided.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- Age ≥65 years
- Diagnosis of "definite sarcopenia" according to the ISarcoPRM diagnostic algorithm
- Not receiving nutritional supplementation and not requiring nutritional support according to the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA)
- Sufficient cognitive ability to understand and follow instructions, including study-related questions and the home exercise program
- Voluntary participation in the study
- Ability to ambulate independently (assistive devices such as a cane are allowed; however, fully dependent individuals will be excluded)
You may not qualify if:
- Inability to complete assessment tests and questionnaires
- Presence of severe systemic disease that may contraindicate exercise
- Severe visual or hearing impairment
- Presence of a cardiac pacemaker
- Severe cardiopulmonary disease
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus
- Receiving nutritional supplementation
- Severe anemia
- Conditions contraindicating hydrotherapy, including aquaphobia (fear of water), behavioral disorders, dyspnea at rest, urinary or fecal incontinence, known chlorine allergy, open wounds, acute systemic illness, epilepsy, tracheostomy, indwelling drainage devices, and immunodeficiency
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
Study Sites (2)
Gaziosmanpasa Research and Education Hospital
Istanbul, Istanbul, 34255, Turkey (Türkiye)
University of Health Sciences Gaziosmanpaşa Training and Research Hospital
Istanbul, Istanbul, 34255, Turkey (Türkiye)
Related Publications (2)
Cruz-Jentoft AJ, Bahat G, Bauer J, Boirie Y, Bruyere O, Cederholm T, Cooper C, Landi F, Rolland Y, Sayer AA, Schneider SM, Sieber CC, Topinkova E, Vandewoude M, Visser M, Zamboni M; Writing Group for the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2), and the Extended Group for EWGSOP2. Sarcopenia: revised European consensus on definition and diagnosis. Age Ageing. 2019 Jan 1;48(1):16-31. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afy169.
PMID: 30312372BACKGROUNDKara M, Kaymak B, Ata AM, Ozkal O, Kara O, Baki A, Sengul Aycicek G, Topuz S, Karahan S, Soylu AR, Cakir B, Halil M, Ozcakar L. STAR-Sonographic Thigh Adjustment Ratio: A Golden Formula for the Diagnosis of Sarcopenia. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2020 Oct;99(10):902-908. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000001439.
PMID: 32941253BACKGROUND
Related Links
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Interventions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Central Study Contacts
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- SINGLE
- Who Masked
- OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
- Purpose
- TREATMENT
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER GOV
- Responsible Party
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- MD
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
April 28, 2026
First Posted
May 8, 2026
Study Start
April 1, 2026
Primary Completion (Estimated)
June 1, 2026
Study Completion (Estimated)
July 1, 2026
Last Updated
May 8, 2026
Record last verified: 2026-05
Data Sharing
- IPD Sharing
- Will not share
Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared due to ethical and privacy considerations. The dataset contains sensitive personal and health-related information, and participants did not provide consent for public data sharing. Data may be made available in aggregated form upon reasonable request.