Community-based muscle power training versus traditional strength training for older adults with and without past falls

Community-based Power Training in Faller and Non-faller Older Adults: a Feasibility and Fall Risk Study.

Not applicable Interventional University of Maia · NCT07369440

This will test whether a community-based muscle power exercise program helps adults aged 65–85 who have or haven't fallen improve balance and reduce fall risk.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment120 (estimated)
Ages65 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Maia Academic / other
Locations1 site (Maia, Porto District)
Trial IDNCT07369440 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized controlled trial will compare a community-based multi-component program focused on muscle power (MCP) with a traditional multi-component program (TMC) in 120 community-dwelling adults aged 65–85 recruited from the Maia/Porto area. Participants will be stratified by fall history (60 fallers, 60 non-fallers) and randomized into four groups (MCP or TMC for fallers and non-fallers), with interventions delivered at the Maia Municipal Sports Hall. Primary measures include muscle power, functional mobility, balance control and fall incidence, with assessments before and after the intervention to examine changes. Key exclusions are medical conditions that preclude safe exercise, use of medications affecting balance, regular heavy resistance training in the past year, and BMI over 32.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Community-dwelling adults aged 65–85 who can safely exercise and either have or have not experienced a fall in the past 12 months.

Not a fit: People with medical conditions that make exercise unsafe, those taking medications that affect balance, those with BMI >32, or those already doing regular heavy resistance training are excluded and unlikely to benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the muscle power program could improve balance and functional mobility and reduce future falls in older adults.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research shows power-focused resistance training can improve muscle power and mobility in older adults, so this approach has promising supporting evidence though community-based randomized trials are fewer.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age between 65-85 years;
* Fall history over the 12 months prior to enrollment (fallers group).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Any existing medical conditions or injuries which would affect the ability or safety to perform exercise;
* Taking medication affecting balance (such as sedatives, anti-depressives);
* Regular (more than 1d/week) participation in resistance training with loading greater than bodyweight during the last year;
* BMI greater than 32 kg/m2.

Where this trial is running

Maia, Porto District

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Fall PreventionMuscle Power PerformanceFunctional MobilityBalance Control in ElderlyOlder adultsFallersPower TrainingFunctional mobility
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.