Effects of Home-based Lower Extremity Muscle Power Training on Functional Muscle and Balance Performance in Older Adults

Background: Muscle power, defined as the rate at which muscular force is generated to produce movement, declines more rapidly with age than muscle strength. The decline in lower extremity muscle power is associated with reduced functional independence, impaired mobility, and an increased risk of falls among older adults. While power training has been shown to improve muscle power, balance, and functional abilities, the feasibility and effectiveness of home-based interventions have not been thoroughly investigated.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of home-based lower extremity muscle power training program on functional muscle and balance performance in older adults.

Methods: This is a single-blind, randomized controlled trial. Forty community-dwelling older adults will be recruited and randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=20) and control group (n=20). Participants in the experimental group will complete 24 sessions of home-based lower extremity muscle power training targeting the lower limb muscle groups in 8 weeks. The training intensity will be progressively adjusted according to participants' performance. Participants in the control group will maintain their daily activities. In addition, both groups will receive health education. Primary outcomes include functional muscle power measured by the Four-Step Stair Climb Power Test, functional muscle strength measured by Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test, and the functional balance performance measured by the Mini-BESTest, and Timed Up and Go Test. The fall confidence, as the secondary outcome, will be measured by Falls Efficacy Scale International.

Statistical analysis: The SPSS® version 29 will be used for statistical analysis. Independent-t-test or chi-square test will be conducted to compare the baseline demographic characteristics between groups. Two-way repeated measure ANOVA will be used to compare the differences between groups and times, post-hoc analyses will be performed using Tukey's test. The significance level is set at 0.05.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Older Adults
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: control group; Other: Experimental Group

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 40
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Ray-Yau Wang, PhD; Phone Number: +88628267210; Email: rywang@nycu.edu.tw

Study Locations

• Taiwan
  • Taipei, Taiwan, 112
    • Recruiting
    • National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
    • Contact: Ray-Yau Wang, PhD; Phone Number: +886-2-28267210; Email: rywang@nycu.edu.tw

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• 65~80 years old community-dwelling adults
• MMSE≥24
• Use smart phone routinely

Exclusion Criteria:

• Recent (<1 year) musculoskeletal injury or disability in the lower limbs
• Unstable cardiovascular, neurological disease, or metabolic disease interfering with participating in the study

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Other: Control group; Health education	Other: control group; Health education
Experimental: Experimental group; Total 40~60 minutes, 3 sessions per week in alternate day for 8 weeks, total 24 sessions	Other: Experimental Group; Total 40~60 minutes, 3 sessions per week in alternate day for 8 weeks, total 24 sessions 5 min warm up and 5 min cool down Power training (using body weight as resistance): hip flexor, hip extensor, hip adductor, hip abductor, knee flexor, ankle plantarflexor, hip external rotator, hip internal rotator, knee extensor, ankle dorsiflexor, ankle invertor, ankle evertor

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Functional muscle performance-muscle power	The Four-Step Stair Climb Power Test is used for measurement, where participants rapidly ascend four steps while the required time is recorded. This test is designed to assess lower limb muscle power.	From baseline to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Functional muscle performance-muscle strength	The 5 Times Sit-to-Stand Test is used for measurement, where participants quickly and continuously perform five sit-to-stand movements while the required time is recorded. This test is designed to assess lower limb muscle strength.	From baseline to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Balance	The Mini-BESTest (Balance Evaluation Systems Test) is used for measurement. This test includes anticipatory control, reactive postural control, sensory orientation, and dynamic gait, allowing for the assessment of balance abilities related to postural control.	From baseline to the end of treatment at 8 weeks
Timed Up and Go Test	The Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test is conducted at both a normal and fast pace to assess the balance and mobility of community-dwelling older adults in functional activities.	From baseline to the end of treatment at 8 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Fall confidence	The Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I) is used for assessment. This scale evaluates the level of confidence in not falling while performing activities of daily living.	From baseline to the end of treatment at 8 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Ray-Yau Wang, PhD, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): July 16, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): April 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): April 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 24, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 24, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): March 30, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): September 5, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 28, 2025
• Last Verified: March 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Balance; Older adults; Power training; Home-based training; Muscle performance
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Investigative Techniques; Epidemiologic Research Design; Epidemiologic Methods; Research Design; Methods; Control Groups
• Other Study ID Numbers: NYCU114046AF

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No