NCT06944886

Effects of Active Stretching on Cardiovascular Response and Arterial Stiffness in Older Adults With Low Flexibility

Effects of Active Stretching Exercises on Autonomic Cardiovascular Responses and Arterial Stiffness in Elderly Individuals With Low Flexibility Levels: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 80 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Phayao · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 60 Years – 80 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

A study of the effects of active static stretching exercise in elderly people with poor lower extremity muscle flexibility on autonomic and cardiovascular responses and balance ability.

Detailed description

This study aims to investigate the effects of active static stretching exercises on autonomic nervous system responses, arterial stiffness, and balance ability in elderly individuals with poor flexibility in the lower extremity muscles. Participants will engage in an 8-week exercise program consisting of active static stretching sessions, focusing on major muscle groups in the lower limbs. The intervention is designed to improve arterial elasticity and heart rate variability (HRV) while enhancing dynamic and static balance performance. Outcomes will include measures of heart rate variability (HRV), arterial stiffness, and physical performance assessments such as the Timed Up and Go test (TUG), Single-Leg Stance test (SLST), and muscle strength tests. Body composition and flexibility (sit-and-reach test, back scratch test) will also be evaluated. The study hypothesizes that active static stretching will promote improvements in autonomic regulation and cardiovascular health, as well as increase flexibility and balance control in community-dwelling older adults with reduced lower-limb flexibility.

Conditions

• Arterial Stiffness
• Autonomic Nervous System
• Musculoskeletal Diseases
• Range of Motion

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Active Static Stretching Exercise Combined with Breathing Exercise (Experimental Group)	Participants in the intervention group performed active static stretching exercises using a pictorial exercise booklet. The booklet contained a series of self-directed stretching postures targeting major muscle groups. Each stretch was held in a static position without external assistance, encouraging the participant to engage and maintain the stretch voluntarily." Each stretch was held for 30 seconds and repeated 3 times per muscle group. The targeted areas included the hamstrings, quadriceps, calves, hip flexors, and shoulders."

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-12-01
• Primary completion: 2025-04-05
• Completion: 2025-04-09
• First posted: 2025-04-25
• Last updated: 2025-04-25

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Thailand