Feasibility Study of an Outdoor Strength Training Program for Older Adults

Participants take part in a 6-week outdoor strength training program using activity benches and a smartphone application. Training is performed in small groups of six community-dwelling older adults. Within each group, one participant acts as a peer coach and provides practical support and motivation.

Other: 6-week outdoor strength training program using activity benches and a smartphone application

2x/week, 35-45min sessions at the outdoor activity bench

Plazo: Throughout the 6-week intervention

Safety of the intervention, assessed as the number of participants experiencing one or more adverse events related to testing or training sessions during the intervention period.

Plazo: Throughout the 10-week study period

Adherence to the intervention, assessed as the proportion of participants who complete the intervention and post-intervention assessments. And assessed as the percentage of scheduled training sessions attended by participants during the 6-week intervention.

Plazo: Post-intervention at week 9

Usability of the intervention will be assessed using the System Usability Scale (SUS), a 10-item questionnaire yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 5. Five items are positively worded, for which higher response scores indicate greater usability, while five items are negatively worded and are reverse-scored, such that lower response scores indicate greater usability.

Plazo: Post-intervention at week 9

Acceptability of the intervention, assessed using the Net Promoter Score (NPS), based on participants' likelihood of recommending the programme to others. Scores range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating greater acceptability and willingness to recommend the intervention.

Plazo: Post-intervention at week 9

Acceptability of the intervention, assessed through participant feedback regarding the peer-led delivery model and the appropriateness of training intensity and progression. Responses will be summarized descriptively.

Plazo: Over the 10-week study period

Feasibility of data collection procedures, assessed as the proportion of planned laboratory-based assessments, questionnaire assessments, and IPitup app-based assessments successfully completed by participants. Higher percentages indicate greater feasibility of the data collection procedures.

Plazo: Baseline at week 1 and post-intervention at week 9

Preliminary effects of the intervention on muscle strength and power, assessed as the change in lower limb muscle strength and power from baseline to post-intervention. Muscle strength and power will be measured using the predefined study strength assessment protocol. Higher values indicate greater muscle strength and power.

Plazo: Post-intervention at week 10

Implementation barriers and facilitators will be explored through semi-structured focus groups conducted following the intervention. Audio recordings will be transcribed verbatim and analysed using qualitative thematic analysis. Identified barriers and facilitators will be categorized into themes to inform optimization of a future randomized controlled trial.

Development and Implementation of Resistance Training Programs in Community-dwelling Older Adults Using Outdoor Activity Benches: a Feasibility and Pilot Study.