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Effects of Aquatic Exercise in Older Adults With Sarcopenia:A Randomized Trial

17 août 2026 mis à jour par: Seda Aydın, Gaziosmanpasa Research and Education Hospital

Effects of Aquatic Exercise Program on Muscle Strength, Muscle Mass, Physical Performance and Quality of Life in Older Adults With Sarcopenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome characterized by age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and physical performance, leading to increased risk of falls, functional decline, and reduced quality of life. Exercise interventions, particularly resistance training, are effective in managing sarcopenia; however, land-based exercises may be challenging for older adults due to balance impairments, joint problems, and fear of falling.

Pool-based exercise programs may offer a safe and feasible alternative, as water buoyancy reduces joint loading while providing resistance to support muscle strengthening. Despite these potential benefits, evidence regarding the effects of aquatic exercise in individuals with sarcopenia remains limited, especially in Türkiye.

This study aims to evaluate the effects of a 6-week supervised pool-based exercise program on muscle strength, muscle morphology, physical performance, mood, and quality of life in individuals aged 65 years and older with sarcopenia. Sarcopenia will be identified using the Sonographic Thigh Adjustment Ratio (STAR), based on ultrasound measurements of anterior thigh muscle thickness. In addition, appendicular skeletal muscle mass will be assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (ASM/height²).

Outcome measures will include ultrasound-based muscle thickness, STAR, muscle strength, functional performance tests, depressive symptoms, and health-related quality of life. Assessments will be performed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at 1-month follow-up.

Aperçu de l'étude

Description détaillée

Participants aged 65 years and older who present to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation outpatient clinic and volunteer to participate in the study will be screened for sarcopenia. Individuals diagnosed with definite sarcopenia according to the ISarcoPRM diagnostic algorithm will be included in the study.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of a 6-week supervised pool-based exercise program on muscle strength, muscle mass, muscle morphology, physical performance, mood, and health-related quality of life.

Muscle strength will be assessed using a handgrip dynamometer and the Five Times Chair Stand Test. Muscle mass will be evaluated using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and appendicular skeletal muscle mass will be calculated. Gait speed will be assessed using the 4-meter walking test. Balance and mobility will be evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Physical performance will be assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Psychological status will be evaluated using the Geriatric Depression Scale, and health-related quality of life will be assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire.

In addition, anterior thigh muscle thickness will be measured using musculoskeletal ultrasound. The Sonographic Thigh Adjustment Ratio (STAR) will be calculated by dividing anterior thigh muscle thickness by body mass index, providing an ultrasound-based assessment of muscle quantity and quality.

All participants will undergo a supervised pool-based exercise program for 6 weeks. The exercise program will be designed to improve muscle strength, balance, and functional performance.

All outcome measures will be evaluated at three time points: before the intervention (baseline), immediately after completion of the 6-week exercise program, and at 1 month following the end of the intervention.

Type d'étude

Interventionnel

Inscription (Estimé)

44

Phase

  • N'est pas applicable

Contacts et emplacements

Cette section fournit les coordonnées de ceux qui mènent l'étude et des informations sur le lieu où cette étude est menée.

Coordonnées de l'étude

Lieux d'étude

    • Istanbul
      • Istanbul, Istanbul, Turquie (Türkiye), 34255
        • Recrutement
        • Gaziosmanpasa Research and Education Hospital
        • Contact:
      • Istanbul, Istanbul, Turquie (Türkiye), 34255
        • Recrutement
        • University of Health Sciences Gaziosmanpaşa Training and Research Hospital
        • Contact:

Critères de participation

Les chercheurs recherchent des personnes qui correspondent à une certaine description, appelée critères d'éligibilité. Certains exemples de ces critères sont l'état de santé général d'une personne ou des traitements antérieurs.

Critère d'éligibilité

Âges éligibles pour étudier

  • Adulte plus âgé

Accepte les volontaires sains

Non

La description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Age ≥65 years
  2. Diagnosis of "definite sarcopenia" according to the ISarcoPRM diagnostic algorithm
  3. Not receiving nutritional supplementation and not requiring nutritional support according to the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA)
  4. Sufficient cognitive ability to understand and follow instructions, including study-related questions and the home exercise program
  5. Voluntary participation in the study
  6. Ability to ambulate independently (assistive devices such as a cane are allowed; however, fully dependent individuals will be excluded)

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Inability to complete assessment tests and questionnaires
  2. Presence of severe systemic disease that may contraindicate exercise
  3. Severe visual or hearing impairment
  4. Presence of a cardiac pacemaker
  5. Severe cardiopulmonary disease
  6. Uncontrolled hypertension
  7. Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus
  8. Receiving nutritional supplementation
  9. Severe anemia
  10. Conditions contraindicating hydrotherapy, including aquaphobia (fear of water), behavioral disorders, dyspnea at rest, urinary or fecal incontinence, known chlorine allergy, open wounds, acute systemic illness, epilepsy, tracheostomy, indwelling drainage devices, and immunodeficiency

Plan d'étude

Cette section fournit des détails sur le plan d'étude, y compris la façon dont l'étude est conçue et ce que l'étude mesure.

Comment l'étude est-elle conçue ?

Détails de conception

  • Objectif principal: Traitement
  • Répartition: Randomisé
  • Modèle interventionnel: Affectation parallèle
  • Masquage: Seul

Armes et Interventions

Groupe de participants / Bras
Intervention / Traitement
Expérimental: Aquatic Exercise Plus Home Exercise Group
Participants in this group will receive an aquatic exercise program in addition to a standardized home exercise program. The aquatic exercise program will be conducted under supervision and will include exercises aimed at improving muscle strength, balance, and physical performance. The home exercise program will be prescribed to be performed regularly throughout the study period.
The aquatic exercise program will be conducted under supervision in a pool environment for a total of 15 sessions over 6 weeks. The program will consist of 2 sessions per week during the first 3 weeks and 3 sessions per week during the last 3 weeks. Each session will include structured exercises designed to improve muscle strength, balance, and functional performance in older adults with sarcopenia. Participants will also continue a standardized home exercise program throughout the study period.
Autres noms:
  • Aquathérapie
  • Hydrotherapy Exercise
  • Pool Exercise Program
  • Water-Based Exercise Training
Participants in the control group will perform a standardized home exercise program for a total of 6 weeks. The program will consist of exercises designed to improve muscle strength, balance, and functional performance in older adults with sarcopenia. Participants will be instructed to perform the exercises regularly at home throughout the study period. No supervised aquatic exercise or additional intervention will be provided.
Comparateur actif: Home Exercise Only Group
Participants in this group will receive only a standardized home exercise program. The program will include exercises targeting muscle strength and physical function and will be performed regularly throughout the study period.
Participants in the control group will perform a standardized home exercise program for a total of 6 weeks. The program will consist of exercises designed to improve muscle strength, balance, and functional performance in older adults with sarcopenia. Participants will be instructed to perform the exercises regularly at home throughout the study period. No supervised aquatic exercise or additional intervention will be provided.

Que mesure l'étude ?

Principaux critères de jugement

Mesure des résultats
Description de la mesure
Délai
Five Times Sit to Stand Test
Délai: Baseline, immediately after the 6-week intervention, and 1 month post-treatment follow-up
Lower extremity muscle strength and functional performance will be evaluated using the Five Times Chair Stand Test. The time required to complete five sit-to-stand repetitions will be recorded in seconds..
Baseline, immediately after the 6-week intervention, and 1 month post-treatment follow-up

Mesures de résultats secondaires

Mesure des résultats
Description de la mesure
Délai
Sonographic Thigh Adjustment Ratio (STAR)
Délai: Baseline, immediately after the 6-week intervention, and 1 month post-treatment follow-up
Anterior thigh muscle thickness will be measured using musculoskeletal ultrasound, and the Sonographic Thigh Adjustment Ratio (STAR) will be calculated by dividing muscle thickness by body mass index (BMI, kg/m²).
Baseline, immediately after the 6-week intervention, and 1 month post-treatment follow-up
Handgrip Strength
Délai: Baseline, immediately after the 6-week intervention, and 1 month post-treatment follow-up
Muscle strength will be assessed using a handgrip dynamometer (Jamar). Grip strength will be recorded in kilograms.
Baseline, immediately after the 6-week intervention, and 1 month post-treatment follow-up
Appendicular Skeletal Muscle Mass Index (ASM/height²)
Délai: Baseline, immediately after the 6-week intervention, and 1 month post-treatment follow-up
Appendicular skeletal muscle mass will be measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). ASM will be calculated as the sum of lean mass of all four extremities and normalized to height squared (kg/m²).
Baseline, immediately after the 6-week intervention, and 1 month post-treatment follow-up
4-Meter Gait Speed Test
Délai: Baseline, immediately after the 6-week intervention, and 1 month post-treatment follow-up
Gait speed will be assessed using the 4-meter walking test, and walking speed will be recorded in meters per second.
Baseline, immediately after the 6-week intervention, and 1 month post-treatment follow-up
Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)
Délai: Baseline, immediately after the 6-week intervention, and 1 month post-treatment follow-up
Physical performance will be evaluated using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), which includes balance, gait speed, and chair stand tests. Scores range from 0 to 12, with higher scores indicating better performance.
Baseline, immediately after the 6-week intervention, and 1 month post-treatment follow-up
Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test
Délai: Baseline, immediately after the 6-week intervention, and 1 month post-treatment follow-up
Mobility and functional performance will be evaluated using the Timed Up and Go test. The time required to stand up from a chair, walk 3 meters, turn, return, and sit down will be recorded in seconds.
Baseline, immediately after the 6-week intervention, and 1 month post-treatment follow-up
Berg Balance Scale
Délai: Baseline, immediately after the 6-week intervention, and 1 month post-treatment follow-up
Balance will be assessed using the Berg Balance Scale, consisting of 14 items evaluating static and dynamic balance. Total scores range from 0 to 56, with higher scores indicating better balance performance.
Baseline, immediately after the 6-week intervention, and 1 month post-treatment follow-up
Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
Délai: Baseline, immediately after the 6-week intervention, and 1 month post-treatment follow-u
Depressive symptoms will be assessed using the 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-30), a self-report questionnaire designed to evaluate depressive symptoms in older adults. Total scores range from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating greater depressive symptom severity.
Baseline, immediately after the 6-week intervention, and 1 month post-treatment follow-u
SF-36 Quality of Life Scale
Délai: Baseline, immediately after the 6-week intervention, and 1 month post-treatment follow-up
Health-related quality of life will be assessed using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), which evaluates multiple domains including physical functioning, bodily pain, vitality, social functioning, and mental health. Scores for each domain range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better health-related quality of life.
Baseline, immediately after the 6-week intervention, and 1 month post-treatment follow-up
Anterior Thigh Muscle Thickness
Délai: Baseline, immediately after the 6-week intervention, and 1 month post-treatment follow-up
Anterior thigh muscle thickness will be measured using musculoskeletal ultrasound. STAR (Sonographic Thigh Adjustment Ratio) will be calculated by dividing anterior thigh muscle thickness by body mass index.
Baseline, immediately after the 6-week intervention, and 1 month post-treatment follow-up

Collaborateurs et enquêteurs

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Publications et liens utiles

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Dates d'enregistrement des études

Ces dates suivent la progression des dossiers d'étude et des soumissions de résultats sommaires à ClinicalTrials.gov. Les dossiers d'étude et les résultats rapportés sont examinés par la Bibliothèque nationale de médecine (NLM) pour s'assurer qu'ils répondent à des normes de contrôle de qualité spécifiques avant d'être publiés sur le site Web public.

Dates principales de l'étude

Début de l'étude (Réel)

1 avril 2026

Achèvement primaire (Réel)

17 août 2026

Achèvement de l'étude (Estimé)

1 décembre 2026

Dates d'inscription aux études

Première soumission

28 avril 2026

Première soumission répondant aux critères de contrôle qualité

4 mai 2026

Première publication (Réel)

8 mai 2026

Mises à jour des dossiers d'étude

Dernière mise à jour publiée (Réel)

18 août 2026

Dernière mise à jour soumise répondant aux critères de contrôle qualité

17 août 2026

Dernière vérification

1 juillet 2026

Plus d'information

Termes liés à cette étude

Plan pour les données individuelles des participants (IPD)

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Description du régime IPD

Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared due to ethical and privacy considerations. The dataset contains sensitive personal and health-related information, and participants did not provide consent for public data sharing. Data may be made available in aggregated form upon reasonable request.

Informations sur les médicaments et les dispositifs, documents d'étude

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Étudie un produit d'appareil réglementé par la FDA américaine

Non

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