Home-based HIFST for Older Adults to Prevent Functional Decline

Home-based High Intensity Functional Strength Training (HIFST) for Older Adults: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of an Exercise Program to Prevent Functional Decline After an Injury

After an injury, an older adult may experience changes to how they complete their daily activities and participate in physical activity. Changes in how or how often an older adult performs an activity (such as climbing the stairs) can be warning signs of increased future difficulties. The purpose of this study is to prevent this decline by providing an exercise program for older adults experiencing these changes. This pilot study will determine if a 12-week home-based high intensity functional strength training (HIFST) program is feasible for older adults who have had an injury from a slip, trip, or fall. HIFST involves combining periods of performing 'hard' everyday movements to build strength (for example standing and sitting from a chair) with periods of rest or 'easy' activity. Feasibility will be determined based on the amount of recommended exercise sessions people complete, the ability to enroll participants and have them finish the program, as well as demonstration of safety. The study will also measure the effects on physical functioning, cognitive functioning, and enjoyment. Interviews with participants in the HIFST program will be conducted after the 12-weeks to gather information on their experience, opinions, likes/dislikes, and suggestions. All this information will be used to guide a future larger study to determine effectiveness.

An injury from a slip, trip or fall in an older adult may instigate the onset of preclinical mobility limitation (PCML) which is a period of time in which modifications in task performance are indicative of an early stage of functional decline. Effective and enjoyable exercise interventions, which may be offered by home-based high-intensity functional strength training (HIFST), are needed during this period. More research is needed on the feasibility of conducting a home-based HIFST in a this group as well it's effects on physical functioning, cognitive functioning and enjoyment. This information, in conjunction with follow-up interviews to asses acceptability, will be used to inform plans of a future fully-powered trial to assess effectiveness. The primary objective of this trial is to determine the feasibility of 12 weeks of home-based HIFST for community-dwelling older adults who are post-injury as determined by adherence, recruitment, retention, and safety criteria. The secondary objectives are to determine preliminary evidence of effects on physical functioning, cognitive functioning (specifically executive functions and processing speed) and physical activity enjoyment. The investigators will also report any intervention-related adverse events (harms, such as muscle strains, sprains, etc.). The follow-up qualitative study will assess acceptability of the intervention including barriers/facilitators to participation and recommendations for changes.

Preclinical Mobility Limitation, High-intensity Functional Strength Training, Feasibility, Physical Functioning, Cognitive Functioning, Enjoyment

HIFST is an exercise program using an interval format: alternating periods of high intensity/'hard' exercise using everyday lower-extremity based strength-building movements (e.g., sit to stand) with periods of light/'easy' activity. High-intensity is individualized based on the use of a rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale. The program includes a warm-up and cool-down and will be completed in participant's homes 3 days per week.

Percentage of participants completing baseline and follow-up assessments (criteria: at least 80 percent)

time to rise from a standard chair, walk 3 meters, turn around, walk back to the chair and sit down while counting backwards by three

classified as no mobility limitation, preclinical mobility limitation, minor manifest limitation or major manifest limitation for 3 tasks (walking 0.5km, walking 2 km, and climbing one flight of stairs)

assesses various aspects of cognition, including processing speed and several aspects of executive functioning (planning, attention, and working memory)

any intervention-related adverse events (e.g., muscle soreness, muscle strains, etc.,) reported by participants

Inclusion Criteria: English-speaking, community-dwelling older adults ≥ 55 years, who sustained an injury from a slip, trip or fall in the last year (assessed by self-report) and as a result report decreased and/or modified daily task performance (assessed using PCML questionnaire based on Mänty) and Participants must have no contraindications to exercise based on the American College for Sports Medicine recommendations and 5) complete the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) 'Get Active' questionnaire and obtain clearance from a health care professional if deemed necessary based on screening. 6) Participants will be required to have access to email and a laptop/tablet with webcam capable of running the web-based videoconferencing platform Zoom well as 7) the ability to provide informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: 1) a score of < 11 on the Mini Montreal Cognitive Assessment (Mini MoCa).