Elastic-Band Resistance and Breathing Training for Older Adults With Pulmonary Function Impairment

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether elastic-band resistance training, with or without breathing training, can improve lung function and physical function in older adults with pulmonary function impairment living in the community. It will also learn about the safety and feasibility of these exercise programs.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does elastic-band resistance training improve lung function, lower-limb muscle strength, walking ability, and exercise tolerance?

Does adding structured breathing training to elastic-band resistance training provide additional benefits for lung function and respiratory-related health status?

Are these exercise programs safe and acceptable for older adults in a community setting?

Researchers will compare three groups: elastic-band resistance training plus breathing training, elastic-band resistance training alone, and usual health education. This will help determine whether elastic-band resistance training is helpful and whether breathing training adds extra benefit.

Participants will:

Take part in a 12-week study

Be assigned by chance to one of three groups

Attend supervised exercise sessions 3 times per week if assigned to an exercise group

Receive usual health education and daily activity guidance

Complete lung function tests, muscle strength tests, physical function tests, and questionnaires at the start of the study, at 6 weeks, and at 12 weeks

Conditions

• Respiration Disorders

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Elastic-Band Resistance Training Plus Breathing Training

Supervised elastic-band resistance training plus structured breathing training is provided for 12 weeks in a community health service setting. Participants attend 3-5 supervised sessions per week, with at least 3 sessions weekly. Each session includes approximately 60 minutes of elastic-band resistance training, consisting of warm-up, progressive exercises for the upper limbs, lower limbs, and trunk, and cool-down. Intensity is monitored using the OMNI-RES scale and adjusted according to movement quality and tolerance. An additional 10-minute breathing module includes inspiratory and expiratory trainer exercises, diaphragmatic breathing, pursed-lip breathing, rhythmic breathing, and breathing control. Participants also complete about 10 minutes of home-based breathing exercises on non-supervised days. Usual health education is provided.

BEHAVIORAL

Elastic-Band Resistance Training

Supervised elastic-band resistance training is provided for 12 weeks in a community health service setting. Participants attend 3-5 supervised sessions per week, with at least 3 sessions weekly. Each session lasts approximately 60 minutes and includes a warm-up, progressive elastic-band resistance exercises targeting the upper limbs, lower limbs, and trunk, and a cool-down. Training intensity is monitored using the OMNI-RES scale and adjusted according to movement quality and participant tolerance. Usual health education is also provided. No structured breathing training or home-based breathing exercises are included.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Beijing Sport University

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

60 Years

Max Age

85 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-06-10

Primary Completion

2026-09-15

Completion

2026-09-16

Countries

• China

Study Locations