A Strategy for Fall Prevention in Aging Women (STABLE-WOMEN)

Long-term Effects of Multicomponent and Stability Exercises on Physical Performance and Functional Capability in Aging Women: A Strategy for Fall Prevention

This retrospective study examined the effects of a 12-month training program on physical performance and functional ability in healthy older women. Participants completed structured sessions including aerobic, strength, balance, flexibility, and stability exercises. Standardized tests showed that the intervention improved functional independence and may help prevent falls.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Balance Impairment; Fall Prevention; Functional Independence
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Multicomponent and Stability Exercise Program

Detailed Description

This retrospective study evaluated the long-term effects of multicomponent and stability exercises on physical performance and functional capability in aging women. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a one-year multicomponent, stability-based exercise program on physical performance and functional capability in healthy, active older women. Participants underwent a structured exercise program combining aerobic, strength, balance, flexibility, and stability exercises over 12 months. Outcomes were measured using standardized physical performance tests and functional capability assessments. The results provide evidence that targeted multicomponent and stability exercise interventions can enhance functional independence and contribute to fall prevention in older women.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 32
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Serbia
  • Novi Sad, Serbia, 21000
    • Faculty of Sport and Physical Education

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. were women older than 65 years and did not live in nursing homes or community living
2. physically independent individuals able to perform daily living tasks
3. not present absence of physical limitations that might limit their engagement in exercise
4. absence of cardio metabolic and neuromuscular disease that could negatively affect exercise performance

Exclusion Criteria:

1. fracture of extremities in the last 3 months
2. functional limitation (motor, auditory, and visual disorders)
3. dropout and absence of participants at any measurement, and absence in more than 25% of the training sessions

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Intervention group underwent a 12-month training protocol; Intervention group (n=13) underwent a 12-month structured multicomponent and stability exercise	Behavioral: Multicomponent and Stability Exercise Program; Training program was a 12-month structured multicomponent and stability exercise program, including aerobic, strength, balance, flexibility, and stability exercises (core stability exercise and Dynamic neuromuscular stability). Sessions were conducted two times per week and progressively adjusted according to participants' abilities to ensure safety and optimal improvements.
No Intervention: Control group continued their regular daily activities without participating in any organ; Participants maintained their usual daily activities without any structured exercise program. No supervised interventions were provided.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change from Baseline in the Single-Leg Stance test (SLS)	The Single-Leg Stance (SLS) test was used to evaluate static balance, and was performed as described by Poncumhak et al. (2023)	12 month

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Changes from Baseline in Functional Movement Capability	Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is a reliable assessment tool for determining fundamental movement capability for individuals aged 50 years and older (Fawcett, 2014). The FMS consists of 7 specific movements (tests), including Deep Squat, Hurdle Step, In-Line Lunge, Shoulder Mobility, Active Straight Leg Raise (ASLR), Trunk Stability Push-Up, and Rotary Stability. Testing procedures and scoring protocol are explained in detail by Cook et al. (2014). All final scores were summed to compute the overall composite score (Total FMS score).	12 month

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Novi Sad

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 1, 2024
• Primary Completion (Actual): June 1, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): June 1, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 13, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 13, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): March 18, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 18, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 13, 2026
• Last Verified: March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: mobility; women; stability; functional movement screen system
• Other Study ID Numbers: 52-02-27/2026-2; 003878572202509418003000000001 (Other Grant/Funding Number: Autonomous Province of Vojvodina Provincial Secretariat for Higher Education and Scientific Research)

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