Possible SarcopeniaNCT07821164
Exercise Snacks for Muscle Strength in Older Adults With Possible Sarcopenia
A study testing Exercise Snacks and Home-based Resistance Training in people with Possible Sarcopenia, run by Ziren Zhao at 1 site in China.
Trial summary
This study aims to investigate whether exercise snacks, a time-efficient approach involving short bouts of exercise performed throughout the day, can improve muscle strength in older adults with possible sarcopenia. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 60 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Possible Sarcopenia
- What is being tested?
- Exercise Snacks and Home-based Resistance Training
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteChina
- Study dates
- 13 May 2026to 25 Jul 2026
- 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 60 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Community-dwelling older adults aged 60 years or older.
- Meeting the criteria for possible sarcopenia according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 consensus.
- Handgrip strength less than 28 kg for men or less than 18 kg for women.
- Five-time chair stand test time of 12 seconds or longer.
- Able to independently complete the exercise protocol and outcome assessments.
- Provided written informed consent before participation.
Who cannot join
- Presence of contraindications to physical activity according to the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q).
- Participation in regular structured resistance training.
- Use of medications or treatments likely to substantially affect muscle strength.
- Participation in other interventional studies within the previous three months.
- Unable to complete the five-time chair stand test independently.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effects of Exercise Snacks Versus Home-Based Resistance Training on Muscle Strength in Older Adults With Possible Sarcopenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This study aims to investigate whether exercise snacks, a time-efficient approach involving short bouts of exercise performed throughout the day, can improve muscle strength in older adults with possible sarcopenia. Participants will be randomly assigned to an exercise snacks group, a home-based resistance training group, or a non-exercise control group. The intervention will last 8 weeks. Muscle strength and physical function will be assessed before and after the intervention.
Read the detailed description
Sarcopenia is a common age-related condition characterized by reduced muscle strength and impaired physical function, which may increase the risk of falls, disability, and loss of independence in older adults. Although resistance training is recommended as an effective strategy for improving muscle function, participation among older adults may be limited by time constraints, accessibility, and adherence challenges.
Exercise snacks are a time-efficient exercise strategy consisting of short bouts of physical activity distributed throughout the day. This approach may reduce exercise barriers and improve adherence among older adults. However, evidence regarding the effects of exercise snacks on muscle strength in older adults with possible sarcopenia remains limited.
This randomized controlled trial investigates the effects of 8 weeks of exercise snacks compared with home-based resistance training and a non-exercise control condition in older adults with possible sarcopenia.
A total of 60 older adults will be randomly assigned to three groups: an exercise snacks group, a home-based resistance training group, or a non-exercise control group. Participants in the exercise snacks group will complete brief exercise sessions distributed throughout the day, while participants in the resistance training group will perform a structured home-based exercise program. The control group will maintain their usual lifestyle.
The primary outcomes include muscle strength and physical function, assessed using handgrip strength, 5-time chair stand test, 30-second chair stand test, and isokinetic knee strength testing. Exercise adherence and adverse events will also be recorded throughout the intervention period.
The findings of this study may provide evidence for practical, accessible, and scalable exercise strategies to improve muscle function among older adults with possible sarcopenia.
- Conditions
- Possible Sarcopenia
- Being tested
- Exercise Snacks, Home-based Resistance Training
- Keywords
- Exercise Snacks, Possible Sarcopenia, Older Adults, Muscle Strength
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Exercise SnacksBehavioural
The exercise snacks intervention consisted of brief bouts of bodyweight exercises performed throughout the day for 8 weeks. Participants completed three exercise sessions per day, five days per week. Each session included five exercises: sit-to-stand, alternating seated knee extension, alternating standing knee flexion, high-knee marching in place, and wall push.
Home-based Resistance TrainingBehavioural
Participants completed an 8-week home-based resistance training program using the same bodyweight exercises as the exercise snacks group. Training was performed three days per week with multiple exercise sessions completed on each training day.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Snacks Group | Experimental | Participants completed an 8-week exercise snacks intervention consisting of brief exercise sessions distributed throughout the day. The exercise protocol included sit-to-stand, alternating seated knee extension, alternating standing knee flexion, high-knee marching in place, and wall push exercises. Receives: Behavioral: Exercise Snacks |
| Home-based Resistance Training Group | Active comparator | Participants completed an 8-week structured home-based resistance training program using the same bodyweight exercise protocol as the exercise snacks group but with a different exercise schedule. Receives: Behavioral: Home-based Resistance Training |
| No Intervention | No intervention | Participants maintained their habitual lifestyle during the 8-week intervention period and did not receive any structured exercise program. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Handgrip Strength
Handgrip strength was assessed using a hydraulic dynamometer. Participants performed three maximal voluntary contractions with the dominant hand, and the highest peak force was used for analysis.
Measured: Baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention
Secondary outcomes (4)
Five-Time Chair Stand Test
The five-time chair stand test was used to assess lower-limb functional strength. Participants completed the test with their arms folded across the chest, and the best performance was recorded.
Measured: Baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention
30-Second Chair Stand Test
Measured: Baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention
Isokinetic Knee Peak Torque
Knee muscle strength was assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer. Peak torque at 60°/s and 180°/s was recorded.
Measured: Baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention
Exercise Adherence
Exercise adherence was recorded throughout the intervention period based on completion of prescribed exercise sessions.
Measured: During the 8-week intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 Sep 2026
- Study start13 May 2026
- Primary completion25 Jul 2026
- Study completion25 Jul 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Possible SarcopeniaStudies 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
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ziren Zhao
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Ziren Zhao, Chongqing Normal University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07821164
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- CQUE-LL20260122009
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 10 Sep 2026
- Last updated
- 15 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 15 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Exercise Snacks Versus Home-Based Resistance Training on Muscle Strength in Older Adults With Possible Sarcopenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07821164
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- CQUE-LL20260122009
- Conditions
- Possible Sarcopenia
- Keywords
- Exercise Snacks, Possible Sarcopenia, Older Adults, Muscle Strength
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Ziren ZhaoUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 13 May 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 25 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 25 Jul 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 15 Sep 2026 (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.
This study aims to investigate whether exercise snacks, a time-efficient approach involving short bouts of exercise performed throughout the day, can improve muscle strength in older adults with possible sarcopenia. Participants will be randomly assigned to an exercise snacks group, a home-based resistance training group, or a non-exercise control group. The intervention will last 8 weeks. Muscle strength and physical function will be assessed before and after the intervention.
Detailed description
Sarcopenia is a common age-related condition characterized by reduced muscle strength and impaired physical function, which may increase the risk of falls, disability, and loss of independence in older adults. Although resistance training is recommended as an effective strategy for improving muscle function, participation among older adults may be limited by time constraints, accessibility, and adherence challenges.
Exercise snacks are a time-efficient exercise strategy consisting of short bouts of physical activity distributed throughout the day. This approach may reduce exercise barriers and improve adherence among older adults. However, evidence regarding the effects of exercise snacks on muscle strength in older adults with possible sarcopenia remains limited.
This randomized controlled trial investigates the effects of 8 weeks of exercise snacks compared with home-based resistance training and a non-exercise control condition in older adults with possible sarcopenia.
A total of 60 older adults will be randomly assigned to three groups: an exercise snacks group, a home-based resistance training group, or a non-exercise control group. Participants in the exercise snacks group will complete brief exercise sessions distributed throughout the day, while participants in the resistance training group will perform a structured home-based exercise program. The control group will maintain their usual lifestyle.
The primary outcomes include muscle strength and physical function, assessed using handgrip strength, 5-time chair stand test, 30-second chair stand test, and isokinetic knee strength testing. Exercise adherence and adverse events will also be recorded throughout the intervention period.
The findings of this study may provide evidence for practical, accessible, and scalable exercise strategies to improve muscle function among older adults with possible sarcopenia.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Snacks Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Exercise SnacksParticipants completed an 8-week exercise snacks intervention consisting of brief exercise sessions distributed throughout the day. The exercise protocol included sit-to-stand, alternating seated knee extension, alternating standing knee flexion, high-knee marching in place, and wall push exercises. |
| Home-based Resistance Training Group | Active comparator | Behavioral: Home-based Resistance TrainingParticipants completed an 8-week structured home-based resistance training program using the same bodyweight exercise protocol as the exercise snacks group but with a different exercise schedule. |
| No Intervention | No intervention | –Participants maintained their habitual lifestyle during the 8-week intervention period and did not receive any structured exercise program. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 60 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Community-dwelling older adults aged 60 years or older.
- Meeting the criteria for possible sarcopenia according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 consensus.
- Handgrip strength less than 28 kg for men or less than 18 kg for women.
- Five-time chair stand test time of 12 seconds or longer.
- Able to independently complete the exercise protocol and outcome assessments.
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Presence of contraindications to physical activity according to the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q).
- Participation in regular structured resistance training.
- Use of medications or treatments likely to substantially affect muscle strength.
- Participation in other interventional studies within the previous three months.
- Unable to complete the five-time chair stand test independently.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise SnacksThe exercise snacks intervention consisted of brief bouts of bodyweight exercises performed throughout the day for 8 weeks. Participants completed three exercise sessions per day, five days per week. Each session included five exercises: sit-to-stand, alternating seated knee extension, alternating standing knee flexion, high-knee marching in place, and wall push. | Behavioural | Exercise Snacks Group |
| Home-based Resistance TrainingParticipants completed an 8-week home-based resistance training program using the same bodyweight exercises as the exercise snacks group. Training was performed three days per week with multiple exercise sessions completed on each training day. | Behavioural | Home-based Resistance Training Group |
Primary outcome
Handgrip Strength
Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention
Handgrip strength was assessed using a hydraulic dynamometer. Participants performed three maximal voluntary contractions with the dominant hand, and the highest peak force was used for analysis.
4 secondary outcomes
Five-Time Chair Stand Test
Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention
30-Second Chair Stand Test
Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention
Isokinetic Knee Peak Torque
Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention
Exercise Adherence
Time frame: During the 8-week intervention
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 15 Sep 2026.
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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.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Exercise Snacks and Home-based Resistance Training in people with Possible Sarcopenia, run by Ziren Zhao at 1 site in China.
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 6 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 15 Sep 2026. 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 China. 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?
Handgrip Strength (time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 15 Sep 2026.