Physical Activity Promoting Active Aging

Physical Activity Promoting Active Aging: An Exploration of Intrinsic Mechanisms and Practical Pathways

This project aims to explore the effects and underlying mechanisms of physical activity in promoting active aging among older adults. The researchers conducted two rounds of progressive randomized controlled intervention trials to verify the effects and mechanisms of a multimodal physical activity intervention on active aging from two dimensions: intervention structure and participation mode.

In Study 1, with a 12-week intervention period, participants were randomly assigned to three groups: a Tai Chi exercise group, a multimodal exercise group, and a daily activity control group. By comparing between-group differences, the study evaluated the effects of different exercise modalities on physical function and subjective active aging.

In Study 2, also with a 12-week intervention period, participants were randomly assigned to two multimodal exercise groups differing in participation mode: an in-person group-based format versus an online individual format. This study examined the moderating effects of different participation modes on both objective and subjective active aging outcomes, while keeping the multimodal physical activity intervention content identical.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Active Aging Individuals Aged 60 and Over
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Mind-body exercise; Behavioral: Multicomponent exercise; Behavioral: Online-based multicomponent exercise; Behavioral: In-person multicomponent exercise

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 100
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• China
  • Zhejiang
    • Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, 310058
      • Department of Sports Science, College of Education, Zhejiang University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 60 years or above;

Capable of engaging in regular physical activities and comprehending basic testing procedures and instructions.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Severe cardiac, pulmonary, or musculoskeletal disorders;

History of neurological or psychiatric conditions that may impair cognitive function (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, major depressive disorder, etc.);

Missing three or more scheduled intervention sessions during the study period, or requesting discontinuation of participation.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

5

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
No Intervention: Control group
Experimental: Multicomponent exercise group	Behavioral: Multicomponent exercise; Tai Chi, Baduanjin, strength, balance, and flexibility exercises
Experimental: Mind-body exercise group	Behavioral: Mind-body exercise; Tai Chi, Yoga, and Baduanjin
Experimental: Online-based multicomponent exercise group	Behavioral: Online-based multicomponent exercise; Tai Chi, Baduanjin, and strength, balance, and flexibility exercises (delivered via live online streaming and video watching)
Experimental: In-person multicomponent exercise group	Behavioral: In-person multicomponent exercise; Tai Chi, Baduanjin, and strength, balance, and flexibility exercises (delivered in an in-person group format)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Active aging	It was measured using the Active Aging Questionnaire.	week0, week6, week12
General self-efficacy	It was measured using the General Self-Efficacy Scale.	week0, week6, week12
Cognitive function	Cognitive function was measured using the cognitive subscale of the LEIPAD questionnaire	week0, week6, week12
Cognitive function assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA)	Cognitive function was measured using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA).	week0, week6, week12

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Height		week0, week6, week12
Weight		week0, week6, week12
Body fat percentage		week0, week6, week12
Vital capacity test	Physiological parameter	week0, week6, week12
2-minute high-knee marching in place		week0, week6, week12
Handgrip strength		week0, week6, week12
Sit and reach test		week0, week6, week12
30-second chair stand test	Physiological parameter	week0, week6, week12
One-legged stance with eyes closed tesr	Physiological parameter	week0, week6, week12
Choice reaction time		week0, week6, week12

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Yu Wang

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Actual): June 20, 2026
• Study Completion (Actual): June 20, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 20, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 25, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): June 26, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 26, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 25, 2026
• Last Verified: June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: ZJU-SSEC/2025/No.6; 23NDJC001Z (Other Grant/Funding Number: Key Program of Philosophy and Social Sciences Planning of Zhejiang Province)

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