Clinical Research Directory

Strength and Balance Integration in Maintenance Cardiac Rehabilitation for Older Adults

The goal of this cluster randomised clinical trial is to investigate the impact of adding strength and balance exercises into traditional aerobic-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Community/Maintenance classes on the functional fitness of older adults. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. To explore participants' functional fitness changes, 2. Confidence in balance, 3. Concerns about falling compared to those participating in traditional aerobic-based cardiac rehabilitation only. 4. Understand the perceptions of participants regarding the addition of strength and balance into classes. 5. Understand the views of exercise professionals delivering the classes with additional strength and balance. Participants: 1. Will get their Functional fitness measured using the Functional Fitness MOT at baseline, and carry out questionnaires on their current physical activity levels, confidence in balance and concerns about falling. 2. The traditional aerobic-based cardiac rehabilitation classes (Clusters) will be randomised into Intervention Groups (additional strength and balance added) and usual care (Control Groups). 3. After 12 weeks, Functional Fitness and the questionnaires will be reassessed. 4. Two weeks after the 12-week follow-up, participants will be invited to an online focus group on Microsoft Teams to understand their perceptions of strength and balance. 5. Additionally, exercise Leaders will be invited to an interview on Microsoft Teams to discuss their views on strength and balance incorporation into maintenance cardiac rehabilitation classes.