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The functional movement circle for older adults: feasibility and effects on physical performance

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Abstract

Background

To facilitate the transfer of exercise effects to older adults’ everyday life, essential daily life movements (stair climbing and walking on different surfaces) were embedded into the functional movement circle for older adults (FuMoC) –– a systematic balance and resistance training programme supplemented by functional movements.

Aims

This study’s aim was to consider the feasibility of the FuMoC and to evaluate the effects of this new training programme in a randomised controlled pilot study.

Methods

Twenty-one adults aged 60 years and older were randomised into one of two groups. The intervention group (IG; n = 11) trained for 12 weeks in the FuMoC, while the control group (CG; n = 10) maintained their usual activities. The evaluation of feasibility comprised training attendance, realised intensity of load, and perceived exertion. Outcome variables included measures of strength and performance-based tests of mobility-related activities.

Results

Training attendance was 86 % and the prescribed intensity of load was realised by the participants in the IG. Physical performance showed significant improvements in the IG in comparison to the CG: an increase of 24 % in the One-Repetition Maximum test in the chest press (p < 0.05), of 9–13 % in the modified Timed Up and Go test (p < 0.05), and of 10 % in the Maximal Step Length test (p < 0.05) was identified.

Discussion and conclusion

In conclusion, the FuMoC study was feasible in terms of compliance (training attendance) and the planned exercise regimen (suitable exercises, intensity, and exertion) and showed positive effects on physical performance.

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Acknowledgments

Institute of Movement and Sport Gerontology, German Sport University Cologne; ERGO-FIT GmbH & Co. KG, Pirmasens, Germany; TOYOTA Germany GmbH, Cologne, Germany (as a result of the first author being awarded first prize in the scientific TOYOTA competition); HASOMED GmbH, Magdeburg, Germany. The funding sources play no role in any aspects of this study.

We would like to thank all the participants who agreed to take part in the study. We are also grateful to all student assistants who helped with data collection and supervision of training sessions. Furthermore, we would also like to thank Wiebren Zijlstra, Sven Luenzer, Peter Preuss, Katja Stoever, Hannah R. Marston, and Mareike Dietzsch for their suggestions, criticism, and corrections.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Funding sources are declared in the acknowledgements and did not influence the design or the implementation of the study.

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  1. Institute of Movement and Sport Gerontology, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Muengersdorf 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany

    Tobias Morat & Heinz Mechling

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  1. Tobias Morat
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  2. Heinz Mechling
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Correspondence to Tobias Morat.

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Morat, T., Mechling, H. The functional movement circle for older adults: feasibility and effects on physical performance. Aging Clin Exp Res 26, 529–537 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-014-0201-7

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