RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Strength and Balance Integration in Maintenance Cardiac Rehabilitation for Older Adults

This study, for people aged 50 and over in Scotland, is looking into whether adding strength and balance exercises to regular heart rehabilitation classes, which normally focus on aerobic exercise, can make a difference. Researchers want to see if this new approach can improve people's overall fitness, their confidence in staying balanced, and reduce any worries they have about falling. They will compare these results to those attending standard heart rehabilitation classes. The study also aims to understand what participants and exercise leaders think about including these extra exercises, ensuring the approach is practical and helpful for everyone involved.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Glasgow Caledonian University

Enrolment target

Start

02 Feb 2026

Estimated completion

01 Jun 2026

Cardiac Rehabilitation Older Adults (50-94 Years)

What is this study about?

This study is a research project designed to explore how we can make heart rehabilitation even better for older adults in Scotland. If you've had heart problems, you might already attend heart rehabilitation classes, which often focus on aerobic exercises like walking or cycling. This study wants to see what happens if we add some specific strength and balance exercises into these classes.

The main idea is to find out if this combination of exercises can improve things like your overall fitness, how confident you feel when moving around, and if it helps reduce any concerns you might have about accidentally falling. Researchers will compare people who do these combined exercises with those who continue with just the usual aerobic exercises. They'll also be very interested in hearing what people who take part, and the exercise instructors, think about this new way of doing things.

Ultimately, this research aims to gather information that could help improve the support and exercise options available for older adults recovering from heart conditions, making sure they feel stronger, more stable, and more confident in their daily lives.

Key takeaways

This study explores adding strength and balance to heart rehabilitation for older adults.
It aims to improve fitness, balance confidence, and reduce fall concerns.
Participation involves fitness tests, questionnaires, and potentially an online discussion.
It's for people aged 50+ already in heart rehabilitation in Scotland.
Your normal medical care remains unchanged if you participate or not.
Your feedback will help improve future heart rehabilitation programmes.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be an older adult, specifically aged 50 or over, and currently taking part in community-based ongoing heart rehabilitation classes in Scotland. You should be able to speak and understand English and be able to give your clear agreement to take part after understanding what's involved.

However, there are some reasons why you might not be able to join. If you have active symptoms of an unstable heart condition, or if you have difficulty understanding or remembering instructions due to memory problems, you wouldn't be able to participate. Also, if you've had an arm or leg amputated, or if you've broken an arm or leg in the last six months, this study might not be suitable for you.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 50 years old or older?
Do you currently attend community-based heart rehabilitation classes in Scotland?
Can you understand and speak English well?
Have you not had a major arm or leg injury/fracture in the last six months?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, your usual heart rehabilitation class will be randomly chosen to either continue as normal or to add strength and balance exercises for 12 weeks. At the start, you'll have your fitness measured with a 'Functional Fitness MOT' and complete some questionnaires about your physical activity, balance confidence, and worries about falling. These will be done at your usual class venue and will take about 30-40 minutes.

After 12 weeks, you'll repeat the same fitness tests and questionnaires. Two weeks after that, if your class was chosen to include the extra exercises, you'll be invited to an online group discussion (via Microsoft Teams) for 60-90 minutes to share your thoughts on the strength and balance activities. Your exercise leader, if they introduced these new exercises, will also be invited for a separate online interview of up to 60 minutes. The total time commitment for individual participants would be two measurement appointments and potentially one online focus group.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in any study has potential benefits and risks. A potential benefit of this study is that adding strength and balance exercises might improve your fitness, confidence, and reduce concerns about falling more effectively than traditional classes alone. There's also the chance to help researchers understand better ways to support people in heart rehabilitation. The risks are generally low, as the exercises are designed to be safe and adaptable, but as with any physical activity, there's a small risk of muscle soreness or minor injury. You are always in control and can stop participating at any time without giving a reason, and your usual medical care or heart rehabilitation will not be affected.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Glasgow Caledonian University
Verified postcode
Glasgow, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'heart rehabilitation'?

Heart rehabilitation is a programme of exercise and education designed to help you recover and improve your health after heart problems, often including advice on lifestyle changes.

What does 'aerobic exercise' mean?

Aerobic exercise makes your heart beat faster and helps you breathe harder, like brisk walking, cycling, or swimming. It's good for your heart and lungs.

What are 'strength and balance exercises'?

Strength exercises help build muscle, like lifting light weights or doing bodyweight squats. Balance exercises help you feel steadier on your feet, like standing on one leg or heel-to-toe walking.

Will I have to do exercises I don't like?

The exercises are chosen by your instructor to suit the group's abilities. You can always discuss any concerns with your instructor. Your participation is voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time.

What is a 'Functional Fitness MOT'?

It's a series of simple tests to check different aspects of your fitness like strength, flexibility, and balance, helping to give a picture of your overall physical ability.

How to find out more

Areeba Iqbal, DPT student

aiqbal207@caledonian.ac.uk +44 (0)1413318982 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.