Elastic-Band Resistance and Breathing Training for Older Adults With Pulmonary Function Impairment

NCT07612072 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: BeijingSU
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 75
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether elastic-band resistance training, with or without breathing training, can improve lung function and physical function in older adults with pulmonary function impairment living in the community. It will also learn about the safety and feasibility of these exercise programs. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does elastic-band resistance training improve lung function, lower-limb muscle strength, walking ability, and exercise tolerance? Does adding structured breathing training to elastic-band resistance training provide additional benefits for lung function and respiratory-related health status? Are these exercise programs safe and acceptable for older adults in a community setting? Researchers will compare three groups: elastic-band resistance training plus breathing training, elastic-band resistance training alone, and usual health education. This will help determine whether elastic-band resistance training is helpful and whether breathing training adds extra benefit. Participants will: Take part in a 12-week study Be assigned by chance to one of three groups Attend supervised exercise sessions 3 times per week if assigned to an exercise group Receive usual health education and daily activity guidance Complete lung function tests, muscle strength tests, physical function tests, and questionnaires at the start of the study, at 6 weeks, and at 12 weeks

Conditions

Respiration Disorders

Keywords

Pulmonary Function Impairment; Elastic-Band Resistance Training; Older Adults; Pulmonary Function; Breathing Training; Exercise Intervention; Respiratory Health

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Change in FEV1 Z-Score From Baseline to Week 12

  FEV1 z-score was calculated using reference equations to standardize pulmonary function according to age, sex, height, and ethnicity. The change from baseline to Week 12 was used to evaluate standardized improvement in pulmonary function. Higher z-scores indicate better lung function.

  Baseline, Week 6, and Week 12

• Change in FVC Z-Score From Baseline to Week 12

  FVC z-score was calculated using reference equations to standardize pulmonary function according to age, sex, height, and ethnicity. The change from baseline to Week 12 was used to evaluate standardized improvement in pulmonary function. Higher z-scores indicate better lung function.

  Baseline, Week 6, and Week 12

• Change in FEV1/FVC Z-Score From Baseline to Week 12

  FEV1/FVC z-score was calculated using reference equations to standardize the ratio according to age, sex, height, and ethnicity. The change from baseline to Week 12 was used to evaluate standardized change in airflow limitation. Higher z-scores indicate better pulmonary function.

  Baseline, Week 6, and Week 12

Secondary Outcomes (13)

• Change in Dominant-Side Quadriceps Strength From Baseline to Week 12

  Baseline, Week 6, and Week 12

• Change in Forced Vital Capacity From Baseline to Week 12

  Baseline, Week 6, and Week 12

• Change in Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second From Baseline to Week 12

  Baseline, Week 6, and Week 12

• Change in FEV1/FVC Ratio From Baseline to Week 12

  Baseline, Week 6, and Week 12

• Change in Non-Dominant-Side Quadriceps Strength From Baseline to Week 12

  Baseline, Week 6, and Week 12

Other Outcomes (5)

• Change in Dominant-Side Handgrip Strength From Baseline to Week 12

  Baseline, Week 6, and Week 12

• Change in Non-Dominant-Side Handgrip Strength From Baseline to Week 12

  Baseline, Week 6, and Week 12

• Intervention adherence

  From the first training session to the end of the 12-week intervention

Study Arms (3)

Elastic-Band Resistance Training Plus Breathing Training

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive 12 weeks of supervised elastic-band resistance training combined with structured breathing training, in addition to usual health education. They attend 3-5 supervised sessions per week, with at least 3 sessions weekly. Each session includes approximately 60 minutes of elastic-band resistance training with warm-up, progressive exercises for the upper limbs, lower limbs, and trunk, and cool-down. Intensity is monitored using the OMNI-RES scale and adjusted according to movement quality and tolerance. An additional 10-minute breathing module includes inspiratory and expiratory trainer exercises, diaphragmatic breathing, pursed-lip breathing, rhythmic breathing, and breathing control. Participants also complete about 10 minutes of home-based breathing exercises on non-supervised days.

Behavioral: Elastic-Band Resistance Training Plus Breathing Training; Behavioral: Elastic-Band Resistance Training

Elastic-Band Resistance Training

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants receive 12 weeks of supervised elastic-band resistance training in addition to usual health education. They attend 3-5 supervised sessions per week, with at least 3 sessions weekly. Each session lasts approximately 60 minutes and includes a warm-up, progressive elastic-band resistance exercises targeting the upper limbs, lower limbs, and trunk, and a cool-down. Training intensity is monitored using the OMNI-RES scale and adjusted according to movement quality and participant tolerance. No structured breathing training or home-based breathing exercises are provided in this arm.

Behavioral: Elastic-Band Resistance Training

Usual Health Education

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this arm did not receive systematic exercise training. They received usual health education and daily activity guidance, including general lifestyle advice, basic physical activity recommendations, and safety instructions. Participants completed the same study assessments at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks.

Interventions

Elastic-Band Resistance Training Plus Breathing Training BEHAVIORAL

Supervised elastic-band resistance training plus structured breathing training is provided for 12 weeks in a community health service setting. Participants attend 3-5 supervised sessions per week, with at least 3 sessions weekly. Each session includes approximately 60 minutes of elastic-band resistance training, consisting of warm-up, progressive exercises for the upper limbs, lower limbs, and trunk, and cool-down. Intensity is monitored using the OMNI-RES scale and adjusted according to movement quality and tolerance. An additional 10-minute breathing module includes inspiratory and expiratory trainer exercises, diaphragmatic breathing, pursed-lip breathing, rhythmic breathing, and breathing control. Participants also complete about 10 minutes of home-based breathing exercises on non-supervised days. Usual health education is provided.

Elastic-Band Resistance Training Plus Breathing Training

Elastic-Band Resistance Training BEHAVIORAL

Supervised elastic-band resistance training is provided for 12 weeks in a community health service setting. Participants attend 3-5 supervised sessions per week, with at least 3 sessions weekly. Each session lasts approximately 60 minutes and includes a warm-up, progressive elastic-band resistance exercises targeting the upper limbs, lower limbs, and trunk, and a cool-down. Training intensity is monitored using the OMNI-RES scale and adjusted according to movement quality and participant tolerance. Usual health education is also provided. No structured breathing training or home-based breathing exercises are included.

Elastic-Band Resistance Training; Elastic-Band Resistance Training Plus Breathing Training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 60 Years - 85 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Age 60 to 85 years
• Pulmonary function impairment identified by community-based spirometry screening
• Community-dwelling older adults
• Able to communicate and walk independently
• Willing to participate in the 12-week intervention and all study assessments
• Provided written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Acute or unstable cardiovascular, respiratory, or severe musculoskeletal disease that made exercise training unsafe
• Recent acute exacerbation, surgery, severe infection, or other health event that could affect safe participation
• Significant cognitive impairment, communication disorder, or inability to cooperate with training or assessments
• Currently receiving systematic pulmonary rehabilitation or regular structured exercise training that could affect the intervention effect
• Unable to meet spirometry quality-control requirements
• Unable to complete key baseline outcome assessments

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Beijing Sport University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Huayuan Road Community Health Service Center, Haidian District, Beijing

Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100084, China

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Respiration Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Respiratory Tract Diseases

Central Study Contacts

Chuyuan Qiao, Master

CONTACT

+86-13801107617; xiaosadashuai@163.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Because of the nature of the exercise intervention, participants and intervention providers were not masked to group allocation. Outcome assessors were masked to group assignment during follow-up assessments. Data analysts used coded group labels during the main statistical analysis whenever possible. Participants were instructed not to disclose their group assignment to the assessors.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of three parallel groups: elastic-band resistance training plus breathing training, elastic-band resistance training alone, or usual health education.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 21, 2026
• First Posted: May 28, 2026
• Study Start: June 10, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 15, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 16, 2026
• Last Updated: July 2, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CN (1)