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RecruitingNCT07525453Updated Apr 15, 2026

Effects of Three Different Exercise Programs on Dynamic Balance in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

An interventional study of Core Stabilization Exercises and Amplitude-Based Exercise (LSVT BIG) in Balance Disorders, Aging and Risk of Falling in the Elderly, sponsored by Fenerbahce University. Recruiting at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 65 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-04-15.

Sponsored by Fenerbahce University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

From the registry’s dates

  • Primary completion was expected by May 2026, 4 months ago, but the record still lists the study as recruiting.
  • Started Mar 2026; still recruiting 6 months later.
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
45
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
65 Years and older
Sex
All
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Study summary

This study aims to compare the effects of core stabilization exercises, an amplitude-based exercise program derived from LSVT BIG principles, and their combination on dynamic balance in community-dwelling healthy older adults aged 65 years and above. Secondary outcomes include functional mobility, fear of falling, reaction time, and quality of life.

Age-related declines in neuromuscular and sensory functions impair postural control and increase fall risk. While both core stabilization and amplitude-based exercises have shown beneficial effects, their comparative and combined effects in healthy older adults remain unclear. This study will determine whether the combined intervention provides additional benefits over single interventions.

Read the detailed description

Aging is associated with progressive declines in muscle strength, proprioceptive function, vestibular efficiency, and reaction time, all of which contribute to impaired postural control and reduced dynamic balance. These changes significantly increase the risk of falls in older adults, representing a major public health concern due to their association with morbidity, mortality, and loss of independence.

Exercise-based interventions are widely recommended to improve balance and reduce fall risk. Core stabilization exercises aim to enhance trunk muscle activation and improve postural control by increasing spinal stability. In contrast, amplitude-based exercise approaches derived from LSVT BIG principles focus on increasing movement amplitude, thereby improving motor performance and functional mobility. Although both approaches have demonstrated beneficial effects, evidence regarding their comparative effectiveness and the potential additive benefit of combining these interventions in healthy older adults remains limited.

In this randomized controlled study, participants aged 65 years and older will be allocated to one of three intervention groups: core stabilization exercises, amplitude-based exercises based on LSVT BIG principles, or a combined core and amplitude-based exercise program. All interventions will be conducted over a structured training period under supervision.

Dynamic balance will be assessed as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes will include functional mobility, fear of falling, reaction time, and quality of life. Standardized and validated assessment tools will be used to ensure reliability of the measurements.

The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence on the relative and combined effectiveness of these exercise approaches and may contribute to the development of more effective rehabilitation strategies aimed at improving balance and reducing fall risk in older adults.

02

Conditions studied

  • Balance Disorders
  • Aging
  • Risk of Falling in the Elderly

Keywords

  • Dynamic Balance
  • Older Adults
  • Postural Control
  • Reaction Time
03

In context

Lead sponsor

Fenerbahce University is the lead sponsor of 73 studies on the registry; 44 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
65 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 65 years and older
  • Ability to walk independently
  • Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score > 24, indicating sufficient cognitive ability to understand and follow instructions
  • Willingness to participate in the study and provide written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of serious lower extremity injury, surgery, or acute musculoskeletal condition within the last 6 months
  • Severe visual or hearing impairment that would prevent safe and accurate completion of the assessments
  • Presence of acute vestibular disorders significantly affecting balance
  • Presence of neurological disease
  • Uncontrolled cardiac disease, uncontrolled hypertension, severe pulmonary disease, or any condition that makes exercise unsafe
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Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Double (Participant, Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
45 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Core Stabilization Exercise Group

    Participants in this group will perform a structured core stabilization exercise program focusing on trunk muscle activation and postural control.

    Behavioral: Core Stabilization Exercises

  • Experimental
    Amplitude-Based Exercise Group (LSVT BIG)

    Participants in this group will perform an amplitude-based exercise program derived from LSVT BIG principles, focusing on increasing movement amplitude and functional mobility.

    Behavioral: Amplitude-Based Exercise (LSVT BIG)

  • Experimental
    Combined Core and Amplitude-Based Exercise Group

    Participants in this group will perform a combined exercise program including both core stabilization exercises and amplitude-based exercises based on LSVT BIG principles.

    Behavioral: Combined Core and Amplitude-Based Exercise

Interventions

  • BehavioralCore Stabilization Exercises

    A structured exercise program focusing on trunk muscle activation, spinal stability, and postural control.

  • BehavioralAmplitude-Based Exercise (LSVT BIG)

    An exercise program derived from LSVT BIG principles, emphasizing increased movement amplitude and functional mobility.

  • BehavioralCombined Core and Amplitude-Based Exercise

    A combined program including core stabilization exercises and amplitude-based exercises based on LSVT BIG principles.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Dynamic Balance (Y Balance Test)

    The Y Balance Test is a reliable and valid measure used to assess dynamic balance and neuromuscular control. It is a modified version of the Star Excursion Balance Test and evaluates an individual's ability to maintain single-leg stance while reaching in multiple directions. During the test, the participant stands on one leg at the center of a Y-shaped grid and uses the free limb to reach as far as possible in three directions: anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral. Reach distances are measured in centimeters, and a composite score is calculated by normalizing reach distances to limb length. Higher reach distances and composite scores indicate better dynamic balance performance. The test has been widely used in clinical and research settings due to its sensitivity in detecting balance deficits and risk of injury or falls.

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks

Secondary outcomes

  1. Functional Reach Distance

    Dynamic balance will be assessed using the Functional Reach Test. Participants will reach forward as far as possible while maintaining a fixed base of support, and the distance reached will be recorded in centimeters.

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks

  2. 360-Degree Turn Time

    Dynamic balance will be evaluated by measuring the time required to complete a full 360-degree turn in a standing position. Shorter times indicate better performance.

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks

  3. Reaction Time

    Reaction time will be measured using a computerized system by recording responses to visual and auditory stimuli. Mean reaction time values will be used for analysis.

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks

  4. Fear of Falling (FES-I)

    Fear of falling will be assessed using the Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I), a validated self-reported questionnaire.

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks

  5. Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF)

    Quality of life will be evaluated using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire, which assesses physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains.

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks

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Study locations

1 of 1 sites recruiting
  • Atasehir 30 August Retirees Cultural Center, Istanbul, Turkey
    Istanbul, Ataşehir 34734, Turkey (Türkiye)
    Recruiting
08

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Apr 15, 2026, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07525453
Lead sponsor
Fenerbahce University
Responsible party
Burcu AKKURT (Assistant Professor of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Fenerbahce University) — Principal investigator
First posted
Apr 13, 2026
Start date
Mar 16, 2026
Primary completion
May 11, 2026 (estimated)
Completion
May 11, 2026 (estimated)
Last update
Apr 15, 2026

Study contacts

Burcu AKKURT, PhD
Contact
burcu.akkurt@fbu.edu.tr
0 216 910 1907
Burcu AKKURT, PhD
principal investigator · Fenerbahçe University

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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