Mixed Exercise Routines for Exercise Compliance

Overseen By Adam Seal, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Disqualifiers: Cardiovascular, Diabetes, Renal, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

60 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if adding variety to exercise routines helps people maintain their workouts. Participants will try different exercise plans, including activities like cycling, jogging, yoga, and walking, to identify which keeps them engaged over time. Individuals who exercise less than an hour a week and have a BMI (body mass index, calculated using height and weight) between 18.5 and 40 may be suitable for this study. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to explore diverse exercise routines and discover what enhances motivation.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It mainly focuses on exercise routines and excludes people with certain health conditions.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research shows that both strength training and varied exercises are generally safe and effective for most people. Studies have found that strength training can enhance physical abilities and heart health in adults. It remains safe even for those with heart conditions, provided the exercises are performed at low to moderate intensity.

Engaging in a mix of different exercises can make workouts more enjoyable and reduce the risk of injury. This variety can maintain interest and help sustain an exercise routine. Experts recommend consulting a healthcare professional before starting any new exercise plan to ensure safety.

Overall, both exercise methods have been well-received in past studies, with few negative effects reported. Always pay attention to your body's signals and stop if any discomfort arises. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores how different exercise routines might improve people's commitment to regular physical activity. Unlike standard exercise recommendations, which often focus on just one activity like walking, this trial tests whether having a choice of exercises or a changing routine can keep people more engaged. By offering options like yoga, cycling, or cross-training, the trial aims to discover if variety can make exercise more enjoyable and sustainable in the long run. This could lead to better health outcomes by helping people stick to exercise plans more effectively.

What evidence suggests that this trial's exercise interventions could improve adherence?

This trial will compare different exercise routines to assess their impact on exercise compliance. Research has shown that varying exercise routines, as participants in the Variety arm will do, can improve adherence. Studies have found that people who mix activities like cycling, walking, yoga, and cross-training tend to stay more engaged and motivated than those who repeat the same routine.

Participants in the Progressive arm will gradually increase the difficulty of their workouts, known as progressive exercise, which can enhance physical abilities. This approach strengthens participants and keeps workouts interesting by introducing new elements over time. Both methods aim to make maintaining an exercise program easier and more enjoyable. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Todd Hagobian

Principal Investigator

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for sedentary adults aged 18-40 with a BMI of 18.5 to 40 who exercise less than an hour per week. It's not suitable for those with cardiovascular, diabetes, renal diseases or other metabolic conditions, disabilities that affect exercise ability, current participation in conflicting studies, recent smokers, pregnant women or those trying to become pregnant.

Inclusion Criteria

Sedentary (<1 hour per week of exercise)

BMI 18.5 to 40 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria

Any other disability, ailment, or physical characteristics that may hinder the ability to participate in regular exercise determined by Health and Fitness History questionnaire

Participating in other studies that would interfere with their ability to safely complete the exercise protocols

History of smoking within the last 6 months

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Exercise Intervention

Participants engage in different exercise interventions including walking, variety, and progressive exercises for 150 minutes per week

4 weeks

Weekly check-ins (virtual or in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for adherence and acceptability of the exercise interventions

4 weeks

1 visit (in-person) for final assessment

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Progressive
• Variety
• Walking

Trial Overview The study is testing three types of exercise interventions: progressive exercises which gradually increase in intensity; walking programs; and varied workouts incorporating different activities. The aim is to see if variety helps people stick with the program.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Variety Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants prescribed 150 minutes/week of moderate to vigorous variety of exercise. Each week participants will be prescribed a single different exercise (variety) which will include cycling, walking/jogging, yoga/Pilates, and cross-training.

Group II: Progressive Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants prescribed 150 minutes/week of moderate to vigorous exercise. The exercises include cycling, walking/jogging, yoga/Pilates, and cross-training, and each week another exercise will be added to the list of options for participants. Participants may choose from the list of exercise. They do not have to do them all, and they can do as much or little (none) of whatever they choose.

Group III: Walking Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants prescribed 150 minutes/week of moderate to vigorous walking.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Lead Sponsor

Trials

33

Recruited

3,400+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Progressive resistance strength training (PRT) significantly improves physical functioning and muscle strength in older adults, with a large effect size (SMD 0.84) based on a review of 121 trials involving 6700 participants.

While PRT is generally safe, with serious adverse events being rare, there were reports of musculoskeletal complaints, indicating the need for caution when applying these exercises in clinical settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Progressive resistance strength training for improving physical function in older adults. Liu, CJ., Latham, NK.[2022]

In a study involving 167 older adults aged 65 to 96, group-based resistance training significantly improved lower-body flexibility, strength, and agility compared to home-based resistance training and walking programs.

Both home-based and group-based resistance training showed benefits in strength and flexibility, while the walking program did not lead to any improvements, highlighting the effectiveness of resistance training for functional performance in older adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison of the effects of a home-based and group-based resistance training program on functional ability in older adults. Cyarto, EV., Brown, WJ., Marshall, AL., et al.[2008]

Progressive resistance training is safe and well-accepted for older adults in a post-acute inpatient setting, with no serious adverse events reported during the study involving 33 patients.

The study showed good adherence (63%) and retention (82%) rates, indicating that older patients can engage with this type of training, although no significant differences in clinical outcomes were found between the treatment and control groups after six weeks.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Progressive resistance training in a post-acute, older, inpatient setting: A randomised controlled feasibility study. Coleman, SA., Cunningham, CJ., Murphy, N., et al.[2022]

Progressive resistance exercise (PRE) has been shown to significantly improve muscle force generation across various physical therapy conditions, with moderate to large effect sizes that can enhance daily activity performance.

While PRE is generally effective, further research is needed to explore any potential negative effects and to understand how to best translate these improvements into everyday life and societal participation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Progressive resistance exercise in physical therapy: a summary of systematic reviews. Taylor, NF., Dodd, KJ., Damiano, DL.[2022]

In a review of 121 trials involving 6700 older adults, most adverse events related to progressive resistance strength training were musculoskeletal issues like muscle strains and joint pain, particularly in participants with pre-existing health conditions or those engaging in high-intensity training.

Adverse events were often underreported, highlighting the need for clearer definitions and consistent reporting in future studies to better inform practitioners about the risks and benefits of strength training in older adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse events reported in progressive resistance strength training trials in older adults: 2 sides of a coin. Liu, CJ., Latham, N.[2010]

Progressive resistance training significantly improves muscle strength and functional performance in older adults aged 80 to 89, even in those with chronic diseases and sedentary lifestyles, based on a review of 13 studies.

The training led to better outcomes in activities such as chair stands, stair climbing, gait speed, and balance, suggesting that this type of exercise is crucial for maintaining independence in daily activities for institutionalized elderly individuals.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of progressive resistance training interventions in older adults in nursing homes: a systematic review. Valenzuela, T.[2022]

In a study of 47 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, those who used a metronome to pace their walking (group A₁) showed significantly greater improvements in exercise capacity after one year compared to those who walked a fixed distance in a set time (group A₂).

The metronome-assisted walking method not only led to better performance in the 6-minute walk test but also resulted in higher overall physical activity levels, indicating that maintaining optimal exercise intensity is crucial for effective home exercise training.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A simple method for home exercise training in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: one-year study. Pomidori, L., Contoli, M., Mandolesi, G., et al.[2015]

A systematic review of 10 trials, including 5 randomized controlled trials, indicates that progressive resistance training (PRT) is safe and does not worsen lymphedema symptoms in women after breast cancer surgery.

PRT appears to provide health-related benefits for breast cancer survivors, suggesting it could be an effective part of post-surgery rehabilitation, although more robust studies are needed to confirm its efficacy and promote its use in clinical settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Progressive resistance training in breast cancer: a systematic review of clinical trials. Cheema, B., Gaul, CA., Lane, K., et al.[2022]

In a study involving 66 mobility-limited adults aged 80 and older, functional home exercise using repeated sit-to-stands significantly improved balance, as measured by the Berg Balance Scale, compared to a control group performing knee extensions.

While the improvement in balance was statistically significant, the change was modest, prompting questions about the clinical significance of such improvements in this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sit-to-stand as home exercise for mobility-limited adults over 80 years of age--GrandStand System may keep you standing? Rosie, J., Taylor, D.[2007]

In a study involving 82 healthy older adults over 11 weeks of resistance training, all four methods of load progression (percent 1RM, RPE, RM, and RiR) were found to be equally effective in improving muscle strength and functional performance.

The RPE method was preferred by participants as it was perceived as more tolerable and enjoyable, making it the optimal choice for encouraging continued participation in resistance training among older adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Optimal Approach to Load Progressions during Strength Training in Older Adults. Buskard, ANL., Jacobs, KA., Eltoukhy, MM., et al.[2020]

A 9-month trial involving 91 frail elderly participants showed that 3 months of supervised progressive resistance training (PRT) significantly improved muscle strength and increased fat-free mass compared to a control group.

Despite these improvements in strength and fat-free mass, PRT did not lead to significant changes in total or abdominal fat mass, indicating that while PRT is effective for building muscle, it may not be sufficient for fat loss in frail elderly individuals.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of progressive resistance training on body composition in frail older adults: results of a randomized, controlled trial. Binder, EF., Yarasheski, KE., Steger-May, K., et al.[2022]

Progressive resistance strength training (PRT) significantly improves muscle strength in older adults, with a strong effect size (SMD 0.68) based on 41 trials involving 1955 participants.

While PRT shows modest improvements in functional limitations like gait speed, it does not have a clear effect on overall physical disability, and the reporting of adverse events in studies is insufficient to assess safety risks.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Systematic review of progressive resistance strength training in older adults. Latham, NK., Bennett, DA., Stretton, CM., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4324332/

Progressive resistance strength training for improving physical ... This review provides evidence that PRT is an effective intervention for improving physical functioning in older people.

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4003699/

Effectiveness of Progressive Resistance Strength Training ... This study evaluated the effectiveness of individualised progressive resistance strength training (PRT) programme using sand bags in improving ...

3. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04247425

Progressive Resistance Training for the Improvement of ... This trial studies how well progressive resistance training works in improving the physical function of sarcoma survivors. Treatments for sarcoma can cause ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211034825001531

Effects of 16-week progressive resistance training on ... Participants demonstrated good adherence and compliance, with statistically significant strength improvements in all exercises except the leg press. These ...

5. academic.oup.com academic.oup.com/biomedgerontology/article/59/1/M48/533579

Systematic Review of Progressive Resistance Strength ... PRT results in improvements to muscle strength and some aspects of functional limitation, such as gait speed, in older adults.

6. ahajournals.org ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001189

Resistance Exercise Training in Individuals With and ... Resistance training is a safe and effective approach for improving cardiovascular health in adults with and without cardiovascular disease.

7. betterhealth.vic.gov.au betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/resistance-training-health-benefits

Resistance training – health benefits A well-rounded fitness program includes strength training to improve joint function, bone density, muscle, tendon and ligament strength.

8. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6625591/

Progressive Resistance Training Improves Torque ... Progressive resistance training (PRT) is consistently shown to improve muscle strength in older adults. The efficacy of PRT to improve muscle fatigue in older ...

9. physio-pedia.com physio-pedia.com/Strength_Training

Strength Training Mcleod et al, 2019 recommended low-to moderate intensity resistance exercise training(RET) (30–69% of 1RM) is safe and effective even in individuals with CVD ...