CompletedNot Applicable

Health Effects of Taekwondo Training for Elderly Over the Age of 60 Years

Norway40 participantsStarted 2024-10-01

Plain-language summary

This randomized controlled trial investigates the effects of a 10-week Taekwondo (TKD) training intervention on physical and cognitive function in community-dwelling adults aged 60 years and older. Participants are randomly allocated to either an intervention group undertaking supervised Taekwondo training twice weekly or to a waiting-list control group maintaining usual activity for 10 weeks before receiving the same intervention. The primary aim is to determine whether structured Taekwondo training improves balance performance compared to a control condition. Secondary outcomes include lower- and upper-body muscular strength, cardiorespiratory fitness (VO₂max), blood pressure, body composition, and selected cognitive outcomes. Assessments are conducted at baseline and after the 10-week intervention period. A 1-year follow-up assessment is included to examine long-term maintenance of effects. The study is designed to evaluate whether Taekwondo represents a safe, feasible, and effective multimodal training approach for promoting physical function and healthy ageing in older adults.

Who can participate

Age range

60 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Over the age of 60 years, no previous experience with martial art Exclusion Criteria: * sick and not able to speak Norwegian

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

TKD training change strength

Timeframe: 10 weeks

Taekwondo training change strength

Timeframe: 10 weeks

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07451288

SponsorVegard Vereide Iversen

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-06-25

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Aging trials