The overall aim of this project, which is based upon the interdisciplinary expertise of four research groups within the University of Rome Foro Italico, in the macro-areas of psychology, bioengineering, physiology, and internal medicine, is to improve the overall health and well-being of community-dwelling frail older adults, who are often suffering from non-communicable diseases, by means of an integration of innovative cognitive and resistance-core training. Forty-five frail or pre-frail community-dwelling older adults aged ≥65 years will be randomly assigned to three 8-week intervention groups: A) resistance training; B) resistance-core training; C) cognitive-resistance-core training. Comparison between groups C and B will show the effects of an innovative cognitive-motor dual-task training method, which will incorporate principles of modern psychotherapeutic approaches to boost physical training, and to improve cognitive, emotional, and mood disturbances in older ages. Comparison between groups B and A will focus on the motor component of the intervention, showing the effects of adding specific core-exercises to a traditional resistance training program on muscle strength, power, and the ability to safely carry out functional abilities of daily life. As outcomes, clinical and psychological scales, cognitive tasks, and their underlying cortical mechanisms will be measured. In addition, state-of-art physiological and biomechanical methods will be used to study human kinematics, muscle synergies, and cortico-muscular coherence furthering some important neurophysiological mechanisms of motor control underlying the execution of functional tasks. The results of this project, therefore, will be of great relevance for the advancement of training-exercise methodology as well as unravelling central and peripheral mechanisms underlying frailty with the final goal of improving the quality of life in older individuals.
Age range
65 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.
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.
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
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.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Anxiety levels
Timeframe: At T0 (enrollment), T1 (4 weeks), T1 (8 weeks)
Depression level
Timeframe: At T0 (enrollment), T1 (4 weeks), T1 (8 weeks)
Cognitive test during EEG recording
Timeframe: At T0 (enrollment), T1 (4 weeks), T1 (8 weeks)