Testing Interventions for Mobility through Exercise (TIME): Study protocol for a randomized trial comparing a novel,...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Exercise Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Difficulty walking affects 25% of older adults, increasing disability and mortality risks.
• Exercise is known to improve mobility, but adherence among seniors is low due to time constraints.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of brief, daily resistance training (RT) sessions versus traditional, longer sessions in improving mobility in older adults.
• To assess if shorter exercise durations enhance adherence and lead to comparable or superior mobility improvements.

Main Methods:

• A 12-month randomized controlled trial involving 700 older adults with self-reported walking difficulty.
• Participants were assigned to either standard care (45-min, 3x/week) or experimental (5-min, daily) home-based exercise programs.
• A 2x2 factorial design also incorporated standard or enhanced behavior change techniques.

Main Results:

• Primary outcome: self-reported physical function.
• Secondary outcomes: lower extremity performance, walking endurance, balance, gait speed, strength, physical activity, falls, pain, and fatigue.
• This study pioneers the examination of brief exercise for clinical outcomes and adherence.

Conclusions:

• Brief exercise interventions show promise for improving mobility and adherence in older adults.
• Findings may inform new exercise program designs optimized for both efficacy and long-term participation.
• This research addresses a critical need for accessible and effective mobility interventions for the aging population.