Active elderly and health—can moderate exercise improve health and wellbeing in older adults? Protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Mauro Giovanni Carta

First

Conceptualization

;Giulia Cossu

Second

;Elisa Pintus;Rosanna Zoccheddu;Omar Callia;Giuliana Conti;Mirra Pintus;Cesar Ivan Aviles Gonzalez;Maria Valeria Massidda;Gioia Mura;Claudia Sardu;Paolo Contu;Luigi Minerba;Roberto Demontis;Massimiliano Pau;Gabriele Finco;Eleonora Cocco;Maria Petronilla Penna;Germano Orrù;Goce Kalcev;Federico Cabras;Stefano Lorrai;Andrea Loviselli;Fernanda Velluzzi;Marco Monticone;Enrico Cacace;Mario Musu;Franco Rongioletti;Alberto Cauli;Valeria Ruggiero;Alessandra Scano;Antonio Crisafulli;Sofia Cosentino;Laura Atzori;Elena Massa;Quirico Mela;Dario Fortin;Gianmario Migliaccio;Antonio Egidio Nardi;Matthias Angermeyer

Penultimate

;Antonio Preti

Last

2021-01-01

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Abstract

Abstract Background: Aging is marked by a progressive rise in chronic diseases with an impact on social and healthcare costs. Physical activity (PA) may soothe the inconveniences related to chronic diseases, has positive effects on the quality of life and biological rhythms, and can prevent the decline in motor functions and the consequent falls, which are associated with early death and disability in older adults. Methods: We randomized 120 over-65 males and females into groups of similar size and timing and will give each either moderate physical activity or cultural and recreational activities. Being younger than 65 years, inability to participate in physical activity for any medical reason, and involvement in a massive program of physical exercise are the exclusion criteria. The primary outcome measures are quality of life, walking speed, and postural sway. Participants are tested at baseline, post-treatment, and 6-month (24 weeks) and 12-month (48 weeks) follow-ups. Discussion: This study aims at improving the quality of life, wellness, and cognitive functioning in the elderly through a low-cost affordable program of moderate physical activity. Given the growing aging of the world population and the social and economic burden of disability in the elderly, our results might have a major impact on future practices.