Promoting healthy ageing through light volleyball intervention in Hong Kong: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Our pilot study has demonstrated improvements in health outcomes through participation in a new sport, light volleyball (LVB), among older adults. In response to the promising results of the LVB pilot study and the priority of allocating resources to the prevention of age-related fitness degradation by the Hong Kong (HKG) government, the present study aims to investigate the effectiveness of a LVB intervention on physical and psychological health attributes among older adults at a larger scale in HKG. Methods/design: This study will apply both quantitative and qualitative methods with a large sample (approximately 315 participants). We will adopt a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design to further evaluate the effectiveness of a LVB intervention on health outcomes against a comparison group, Tai Chi (TC), and a control group (C). Older adults will be eligible to join the intervention if they are (a) aged 65 years and above; (b) living in the community independently; (c) absent of diagnosed cognitive impairment; (d) not regular participants in a structured PA program for two years preceding the study; and (e) able to achieve a passing score on the Timed-upand-go test (TUG) and Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT). About 315 participants will be randomly assigned into 3 groups in 1:1:1 ratio. LVB group participants will receive 16week LVB program; TC group will utilize a simplified 24-form Yang Style TC, and C group participants will be instructed to maintain their normal daily activity and join regular non-exercise social gatherings. Measurements will be collected before and after the intervention, and 6 months and 12 months after completion of the intervention. Discussion: This intervention, if effective, will enhance older adult's physical and psychological health, and provide the data and evidence to support policymaking in relation to future PA promotion for older adults.

Impact of Light Volleyball Intervention Programme on Improving Physical Attributes of Older Adults in Hong Kong: A Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

“…Randomized controlled trial (RCT) design was adopted to investigate the effect of LVB intervention in regard to the physical health outcomes of the participants. Details of the intervention can be found in our previously published protocol (Trial registration number: ChiCTR1900026657) 20 . The LVB group was compared to another active group (i.e.…”

“…The research team would ask each participant for his/her consent before collecting data and immediately proceed to conduct the AMT and the TUG test for screening out unqualified participants. Once the participant has passed the screening test, they then proceed to complete the a) questionnaires, b) socio-demographic questions, c) measuring weight, and body fat percentage with the Tanita machine (TBF-410GS) and d) functional fitness test utilized in Leung et al19,20 . The intervention programme started in the following week and lasted for 16 weeks (about three and a half months) before the research team arranged the posttest (within seven days after they finished the intervention program) for the participants.…”

Fall Detection Approaches for Monitoring Elderly HealthCare Using Kinect Technology: A Survey

“…In the United States, the population aged 65 and older is anticipated to reach 83.7 million by 2050, almost double its population of 43.1 million in 2012 [4]. In China, it is expected to be 487 million, or nearly 35% of China's total population [5]. Accordingly, the number of frail and dependent older adults will increase.…”

“How are You Doing?” on the Healthy Aging of the Community-Dwelling Oldest-Old in the Shadow of the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…To date, only a few quantitative studies have been conducted to promote healthy aging ( Leung et al, 2020 ), validate the concept of intrinsic capacity ( Beard et al, 2021 ), or analyze factors related to healthy aging based on open databases ( Feng et al, 2019 ). Still unknown is how older people, especially the oldest-old, feel about their surrounding environment, and what their experience of healthy aging is, not only physically but also holistically.…”