Effects of Adapted Sports on Balance, Physical Function, and Cognitive Function in Older Adults (ASF)

This randomized controlled study aims to investigate the effects of adapted sports exercises on balance, physical function, and cognitive function in older adults. Participants will be randomly assigned to an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group will participate in a structured adapted sports exercise program, while the control group will maintain their usual daily activities. Balance, physical performance, and cognitive function will be assessed before and after the intervention period using standardized assessment tools. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to understanding the role of adapted physical activity in improving functional and cognitive health in older adults.

Study Overview

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Conditions: Aging; Physical Function; Balance; Functional Mobility
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Adapted Sports Exercise Program

Detailed Description

Aging is associated with declines in balance, physical function, and cognitive abilities, which may increase the risk of falls and reduce independence in daily life. Adapted sports and structured physical activity programs are considered effective strategies for maintaining functional capacity and cognitive health among older adults.

This randomized controlled study aims to examine the effects of an adapted sports exercise program on balance, physical function, and cognitive function in older individuals. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will participate in a supervised adapted sports exercise program designed to improve balance, coordination, strength, and functional mobility. The control group will continue their usual lifestyle without participating in the structured exercise program.

Outcome measures will include assessments of balance, physical performance, and cognitive function. Standardized measurement tools will be applied before and after the intervention period to evaluate changes in these parameters. The results of this study will provide evidence on the potential benefits of adapted sports activities for promoting healthy aging and improving functional and cognitive outcomes in older adults.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 140
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Antalya
    • Alanya, Antalya, Turkey (Türkiye), 07450
      • Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• • Being 60 years of age or older

  • Having the ability to speak and understand Turkish
  • Being able to regularly attend at least 10 sessions during the 12-week intervention period
  • Having no serious cardiovascular, neurological, orthopedic, systemic, or psychiatric diseases
  • Having no cognitive or sensory impairment
  • Obtaining physician approval indicating that participation in the adapted sports program does not pose a health risk
  • Voluntarily agreeing to participate in the study
  • Agreeing to follow the study procedures and comply with the principle of continuity

Exclusion Criteria:

• Voluntary withdrawal from the study by the participant
• Failure to attend the intervention sessions for more than two consecutive weeks during the 12-week intervention period
• Inability to continue participation due to a health problem that develops during the intervention period
• Development of chronic diseases or use of medications during the study period that may affect the intervention

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Adapted Sports Exercise Group; Participants in this group will take part in a 12-week adapted sports exercise program performed three times per week. The program will include structured physical activity sessions designed to improve balance, physical function, and cognitive performance in older adults.	Behavioral: Adapted Sports Exercise Program; Participants will take part in an adapted sports exercise program designed for older adults. The program will be conducted for 12 weeks, three times per week. Each session will last approximately 45-60 minutes and will include balance, coordination, strength, and mobility exercises. The exercises are adapted to the physical capacities of the participants and supervised by a qualified instructor.
No Intervention: Control Group; Participants in the control group will continue their usual daily activities and will not participate in the adapted sports exercise program during the study period.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Balance	Balance will be assessed using the Berg Balance Scale, a 14-item scale used to evaluate functional balance in older adults. Each item is scored from 0 to 4, and the total score ranges from 0 to 56, with higher scores indicating better balance performance.	Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Mobility and Balance (Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment)	Mobility and balance will be assessed using the Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment, which evaluates gait and balance performance in older adults. The total score ranges from 0 to 28, with higher scores indicating better mobility and balance performance and lower fall risk.	Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Functional Fitness (Senior Fitness Test)	Physical function will be assessed using components of the Senior Fitness Test, which evaluates functional fitness in older adults including strength, flexibility, balance, and aerobic endurance. Higher performance in test components indicates better physical function.	Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)
Cognitive Function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment)	Cognitive function will be evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, a screening tool for mild cognitive impairment. Scores range from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive performance.	Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 15, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 4, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 4, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): March 9, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 10, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 8, 2026
• Last Verified: March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: older adults; balance; Physical function; adapted sports
• Other Study ID Numbers: CGT-2026-01

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Individual participant data will not be publicly shared due to ethical and privacy considerations. Data will be used only within the scope of the approved research protocol.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No