The Effectiveness of Squat Exercise for Improving Pre-Sarcopenia in Order Adults

July 21, 2026 updated by: TSENG,HSIAO-CHIEN, Tzu Chi University
With the growing aging population, it has been reported that approximately 10-20% of older adults have pre-sarcopenia. Pre-sarcopenia is defined as a decline in either muscle mass or muscle strength. Previous studies have indicated that squat exercise has significant effects on improving lower-extremity muscle strength and physical performance. Early intervention through resistance exercise during the pre-sarcopenia stage may increase muscle mass, enhance physical performance, and prevent progression to sarcopenia. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of squat exercise on improving pre-sarcopenia among older adults. It is expected that, following the squat exercise intervention, older adults will demonstrate significant improvements in muscle mass, lower-extremity muscle strength, physical performance, and body composition, thereby alleviating pre-sarcopenia.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

80

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

  • Taiwan
      • Taipei, Taiwan
        • Recruiting
        • Hsiao-Chien,Tseng
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Older adults aged 65 years and above who meet at least one criterion of pre-sarcopenia.
  2. Residents of Hualien.
  3. Able to read, have clear consciousness, and communicate in Mandarin.
  4. Willing to participate in this study.

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Individuals with disability.
  2. Individuals with psychiatric disorders or other conditions affecting cognitive function.
  3. Individuals with injuries of the knee, hip, or lumbar spine that prevent participation in squat exercise.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Squat Exercise
The researcher first assists participants in completing the questionnaire and measures older adults' InBody composition, grip strength, and SPPB (Short Physical Performance Battery). A 12-week squat exercise intervention is then implemented. Post-intervention assessments are conducted at Week 6 and Week 12.
Behavioral: Squat Exercise
Squat exercise is an effective resistance training intervention that enhances lower-extremity muscle strength, physical performance, and functional ability, thereby helping prevent or delay sarcopenia in older adults.
No Intervention: Intervention: Usual Care
No specific resistance training is performed, and participants maintain their usual daily activities.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Physical performance assessed by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks
Physical performance will be assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). The SPPB consists of three components: balance test, gait speed test, and chair stand test. Total scores range from 0 to 12 points, with higher scores indicating better physical performance
Baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks
Body composition assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody)
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks
Body composition will be assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody).Measurements include skeletal muscle mass, body fat mass, and body fat percentage.
Baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Tzu Chi University

Investigators

  • Study Chair: HSIAO-CHIEN TSENG, MASTER, STUDENT

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

March 6, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 31, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 31, 2028

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 27, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 21, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

July 24, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

July 24, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 21, 2026

Last Verified

July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • TZU
  • TCU (Other Identifier: Buddhist Tzu Chi University)

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

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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