AgingNCT06108713
The Influence of Juggling on Selected Cognitive Functions and Postural Stability Variables.
A study testing Addition of juggling in people with Aging and Cognitive Change, run by Poznan University of Physical Education at 1 site in Poland.
Trial summary
The purpose of the study is to verify the effect of juggling exercises on selected cognitive functions (reaction time, attention) and postural stability variabilities (based on center of pressure signal) in two different protocols: [1] a randomised crossover study design, [2] a randomised repeated measurement design. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 65 to 75 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Aging, Cognitive Change
- What is being tested?
- Addition of juggling
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 46 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePoland
- Study dates
- 1 Sep 2021to 1 Jan 2023
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 65 to 75 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Older adult
Who may be able to join
- physically active
- over 65 years old
- with no injuries of pathologies involving the upper limb
- without neurological issues
- with no significant visual impairments
Who cannot join
- mixed or left-handedness
- sedentary lifestyle
- prior experience in juggling
- under or above the required age
- contraindications to physical activity
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Poland1 site
Poznan University of Physical Education
Poznan, Wielkopolska, 61-871
About this study
Official title: The Effect of Juggling Training on Some Cognitive Functions and Coordination Abilities in Older People.
The purpose of the study is to verify the effect of juggling exercises on selected cognitive functions (reaction time, attention) and postural stability variabilities (based on center of pressure signal) in two different protocols: [1] a randomised crossover study design, [2] a randomised repeated measurement design.
Read the detailed description
Juggling is a form of exercise, that can engage humans, both cognitively and physically. One of the positive aspects of taking up this form of exercise is the growing evidence indicating that juggling improves the well-being of exercisers. Most importantly, the juggling intervention causes an increase in the volume of the gray matter and white matter in the human brain, and thus shows potential for neuroplasticity. In addition, unhealthy aging is observed nowadays, which causes both physical and cognitive decline in daily functioning, further interfering with the elderly's ability to perform daily activities. Therefore, the addition of juggling exercises may have a positive effect on the changes that occur with aging.
However, currently there are hardly any data on the juggling effect on cognitive functions and on postural stability. Therefore, the study aims to examine the effect of juggling exercises on selected cognitive functions and postural stability variables in two different randomised trials.
- Conditions
- Aging, Cognitive Change
- Being tested
- Addition of juggling
- Keywords
- cognitive functions, postural stability, proprioception, elderly
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Addition of jugglingOther
Participants will not change ther daily activities, and participate in juggling intervention lasted 4 weeks and consisted of 12 meetings (3 trainings per week), each lasting 45 minutes.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Addition of juggling | Experimental | Group taking part in juggling exercise protocol in a crossover regimen. Receives: Other: Addition of juggling |
| Without addition of juggling | No intervention | Group not taking part in juggling exercise protocol in a crossover regimen. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Velocity of center of pressure assessed with AMTI force plate
Postural stability variable based on center of pressure signal. Velocity of center of pressure will be presented in centimeters per seconds.
Measured: Assessment of the velocity of center of pressure will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Area 95 percentile assessed with AMTI force plate
Postural stability variable based on center of pressure signal. Area 95 percentile will be presented in square centimetres.
Measured: Assessment will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Medio-lateral range of sway assessed with AMTI force plate
Postural stability variable based on center of pressure signal. Medio-lateral range of sway will be presented in centimeters.
Measured: Assessment will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Anterior-posterior range of sway assessed with AMTI force plate
Postural stability variable based on center of pressure signal. Anterior-posterior range of sway will be presented in centimeters.
Measured: Assessment will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Effective value of medio-lateral velocity assessed with AMTI force plate
Postural stability variable based on center of pressure signal. Effective value of medio-lateral velocity of sway will be presented in centimeters per seconds.
Measured: Assessment will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Effective value of anterior-posterior velocity assessed with AMTI force plate
Postural stability variable based on center of pressure signal. Effective value of anterior-posterior velocity of sway will be presented in centimeters per seconds.
Measured: Assessment will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Absolute error of elbow joint position accuracy assessed with electrogoniometers
Proprioception ability. Measured in degrees of flexion.
Measured: Assessment will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Variable error of elbow joint position accuracy assessed with electrogoniometers
Proprioception ability. Measured in degrees of flexion.
Measured: Assessment will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Constant error of elbow joint position accuracy assessed with electrogoniometers
Proprioception ability. Measured in degrees of flexion.
Measured: Assessment will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Root mean square error of elbow joint position accuracy assessed with electrogoniometers
Proprioception ability. Measured in degrees of flexion.
Measured: Assessment will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Secondary outcomes (9)
Simple reaction time assessed with reaction time test in Vienna Test System
Selected cognitive function - simple reaction time (one visual stimulus, reaction to one visual stimulus) measured in milliseconds.
Measured: Assessment will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Complex reaction time assessed with reaction time test in Vienna Test System
Selected cognitive function - choice reaction time (two visual stimuli, reaction to one visual stimulus) measured in milliseconds.
Measured: Assessment will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Decision time assessed with reaction time test in Vienna Test System
Selected cognitive function - decision time (difference between complex reaction time and simple reaction time variables) measured in milliseconds.
Measured: Assessment will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Motor time assessed with reaction time test in Vienna Test System
Selected cognitive function - motor reaction time (time of movement during both simple and complex reaction time tests) measured in milliseconds.
Measured: Assessment will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Time of correct rejections assessed with cognitrone test in Vienna Test System
Selected cognitive function - one variable of attention measured in seconds.
Measured: Assessment will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Time of correct acceptance assessed with cognitrone test in Vienna Test System
Selected cognitive function - one variable of attention measured in seconds.
Measured: Assessment will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Number of correct acceptance assessed with cognitrone test in Vienna Test System
Selected cognitive function - one variable of attention measured in unity values.
Measured: Assessment will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Duration of test assessed with cognitrone test in Vienna Test System
Selected cognitive function - one variable of attention measured in seconds.
Measured: Assessment will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Physical activity level assessed with a CHAMPS questionnaire
Assesment of physical activity level with a CHAMPS questionnaire. Results presented as frequency of total physical activity and caloric expenditure per week.
Measured: Assessment will be carried out up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of two time points.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted31 Oct 2023
- Study start1 Sep 2021
- Primary completion1 Sep 2022
- Study completion1 Jan 2023
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for AgingStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 46 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Poznan University of Physical Education
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Jakub Malik, MSc, Principal investigator, Department of Physical Activity and Health Promotion Science
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06108713
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 106/21
- Status last verified
- Oct 2023
- First submitted
- 13 Oct 2023
- Last updated
- 31 Oct 2023
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Malik J, Glowka N. From stiffness to automaticity: visuomotor training alters postural control strategies in older adults. Geroscience. 2026 Jun;48(3):3237-3249. doi: 10.1007/s11357-026-02204-z. Epub 2026 Mar 19.
PubMed 41854954Malik J, Glowka N, Jelonek W, Maciaszek J. The effect of juggling on the proprioceptive and attentional abilities among older women. Front Public Health. 2024 Oct 2;12:1386981. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1386981. eCollection 2024.
PubMed 39416927Malik J, Glowka N, Jelonek W, Stemplewski R, Maciaszek J. Effect of a juggling-based physical activity on postural stability, reaction time, and attention focus in older adults: a randomized crossover study. Eur Rev Aging Phys Act. 2024 May 31;21(1):15. doi: 10.1186/s11556-024-00351-w.
PubMed 38822245
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 31 Oct 2023. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Juggling Training on Some Cognitive Functions and Coordination Abilities in Older People.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06108713
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 106/21
- Conditions
- Aging, Cognitive Change
- Keywords
- cognitive functions, postural stability, proprioception, elderly
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 46 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Poznan University of Physical EducationUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Sep 2021 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Sep 2022 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Jan 2023 (actual)
- First posted
- 31 Oct 2023 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The purpose of the study is to verify the effect of juggling exercises on selected cognitive functions (reaction time, attention) and postural stability variabilities (based on center of pressure signal) in two different protocols: [1] a randomised crossover study design, [2] a randomised repeated measurement design.
Detailed description
Juggling is a form of exercise, that can engage humans, both cognitively and physically. One of the positive aspects of taking up this form of exercise is the growing evidence indicating that juggling improves the well-being of exercisers. Most importantly, the juggling intervention causes an increase in the volume of the gray matter and white matter in the human brain, and thus shows potential for neuroplasticity. In addition, unhealthy aging is observed nowadays, which causes both physical and cognitive decline in daily functioning, further interfering with the elderly's ability to perform daily activities. Therefore, the addition of juggling exercises may have a positive effect on the changes that occur with aging.
However, currently there are hardly any data on the juggling effect on cognitive functions and on postural stability. Therefore, the study aims to examine the effect of juggling exercises on selected cognitive functions and postural stability variables in two different randomised trials.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Addition of juggling | Experimental | Other: Addition of jugglingGroup taking part in juggling exercise protocol in a crossover regimen. |
| Without addition of juggling | No intervention | –Group not taking part in juggling exercise protocol in a crossover regimen. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 65 to 75 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- physically active
- over 65 years old
- with no injuries of pathologies involving the upper limb
- without neurological issues
- with no significant visual impairments
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- mixed or left-handedness
- sedentary lifestyle
- prior experience in juggling
- under or above the required age
- contraindications to physical activity
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Addition of jugglingParticipants will not change ther daily activities, and participate in juggling intervention lasted 4 weeks and consisted of 12 meetings (3 trainings per week), each lasting 45 minutes. | Other | Addition of juggling |
Primary outcome
Velocity of center of pressure assessed with AMTI force plate
Time frame: Assessment of the velocity of center of pressure will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Postural stability variable based on center of pressure signal. Velocity of center of pressure will be presented in centimeters per seconds.
Area 95 percentile assessed with AMTI force plate
Time frame: Assessment will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Postural stability variable based on center of pressure signal. Area 95 percentile will be presented in square centimetres.
Medio-lateral range of sway assessed with AMTI force plate
Time frame: Assessment will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Postural stability variable based on center of pressure signal. Medio-lateral range of sway will be presented in centimeters.
Anterior-posterior range of sway assessed with AMTI force plate
Time frame: Assessment will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Postural stability variable based on center of pressure signal. Anterior-posterior range of sway will be presented in centimeters.
Effective value of medio-lateral velocity assessed with AMTI force plate
Time frame: Assessment will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Postural stability variable based on center of pressure signal. Effective value of medio-lateral velocity of sway will be presented in centimeters per seconds.
Effective value of anterior-posterior velocity assessed with AMTI force plate
Time frame: Assessment will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Postural stability variable based on center of pressure signal. Effective value of anterior-posterior velocity of sway will be presented in centimeters per seconds.
Absolute error of elbow joint position accuracy assessed with electrogoniometers
Time frame: Assessment will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Proprioception ability. Measured in degrees of flexion.
Variable error of elbow joint position accuracy assessed with electrogoniometers
Time frame: Assessment will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Proprioception ability. Measured in degrees of flexion.
Constant error of elbow joint position accuracy assessed with electrogoniometers
Time frame: Assessment will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Proprioception ability. Measured in degrees of flexion.
Root mean square error of elbow joint position accuracy assessed with electrogoniometers
Time frame: Assessment will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Proprioception ability. Measured in degrees of flexion.
9 secondary outcomes
Simple reaction time assessed with reaction time test in Vienna Test System
Time frame: Assessment will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Complex reaction time assessed with reaction time test in Vienna Test System
Time frame: Assessment will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Decision time assessed with reaction time test in Vienna Test System
Time frame: Assessment will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Motor time assessed with reaction time test in Vienna Test System
Time frame: Assessment will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Time of correct rejections assessed with cognitrone test in Vienna Test System
Time frame: Assessment will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Time of correct acceptance assessed with cognitrone test in Vienna Test System
Time frame: Assessment will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Number of correct acceptance assessed with cognitrone test in Vienna Test System
Time frame: Assessment will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Duration of test assessed with cognitrone test in Vienna Test System
Time frame: Assessment will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.
Physical activity level assessed with a CHAMPS questionnaire
Time frame: Assessment will be carried out up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of two time points.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 31 Oct 2023.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 41854954Malik J, Glowka N. From stiffness to automaticity: visuomotor training alters postural control strategies in older adults. Geroscience. 2026 Jun;48(3):3237-3249. doi: 10.1007/s11357-026-02204-z. Epub 2026 Mar 19.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 39416927Malik J, Glowka N, Jelonek W, Maciaszek J. The effect of juggling on the proprioceptive and attentional abilities among older women. Front Public Health. 2024 Oct 2;12:1386981. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1386981. eCollection 2024.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 38822245Malik J, Glowka N, Jelonek W, Stemplewski R, Maciaszek J. Effect of a juggling-based physical activity on postural stability, reaction time, and attention focus in older adults: a randomized crossover study. Eur Rev Aging Phys Act. 2024 May 31;21(1):15. doi: 10.1186/s11556-024-00351-w.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Jakub Malik, MSc principal investigator
Department of Physical Activity and Health Promotion Science
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Addition of juggling in people with Aging and Cognitive Change, run by Poznan University of Physical Education at 1 site in Poland.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 31 Oct 2023. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Poland. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Velocity of center of pressure assessed with AMTI force plate (time frame: Assessment of the velocity of center of pressure will be carried out up to three days before juggling/no juggling periods, and also up to three days after juggling/no juggling periods. Measurements will be taken at a total of four time points.). The study lists 10 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06108713, which also lists 3 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 31 Oct 2023.