Taekwondo for Falls Prevention
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
Falls in older adults are a public health crisis, as 30% of older adults fall each year, with a mortality rate of 78%.1 Fall-related healthcare costs are over 50 billion dollars.1 Therefore, preventing older adults from falling is important in both individual and public health aspects by increasing their quality of life and reducing healthcare costs. However, the current fall-prevention exercise programs have a limitation in maintaining exercise adherence behaviors or increasing physical activities once the intervention is completed.2 The theory-based exercise program shows a higher adherence and retention rate.3,4 Taekwondo (TKD), one type of martial arts, can be a potential channel to deliver a theory-based fall prevention exercise program. Therefore, this study aims to test the feasibility of the potential 12 Taekwondo-based fall prevention exercise program for older adults and its preliminary efficacy using a randomized controlled trial.
Who Is on the Research Team?
Chih-Hsiang Yang, PhD
Principal Investigator
2. University of South Carolina
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive 12 sessions of Taekwondo-based fall prevention exercises over 6 weeks
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Taekwondo Program for Preventing Falls
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Participants will received 12 sessions of Taekwondo-based fall prevention exercises. The exercise will be delivered twice a week for 6-weeks at the local recreational center. Each sessions includes three components: static and dynamic stretching warm-up, basic Taekwondo movement exercises, and kicking exercises. Static and dynamic warm-up was developed based on the evidence-based fall prevention exercise, The Otago Exercise Program. The basic Taekwondo movement exercises include three basic stances (walking, front, and horse riding stances) , and hand movements (low, middle, and high block, and middle punch). Kicking exercise includes target kicking using front kicks.
Participants will received the Live Strong and Safe Program on Fall Prevention online education program. It includes three modules. Module1 has three sessions that providing overview of fall prevention such as fall statistics, and preventable risk factors. Module2 has eight sessions that provides tips to ensure home safety for fall prevention. Module3 has 12 sessions that provides tips for personal safety from nutrition to mental health. Participants will complete this module at their own pace, and report their progress through email or text message each week.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of South Carolina
Lead Sponsor
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