Effects of Twelve Weeks of Square Stepping Exercises on Physical and Cognitive Function and Plasma Content of SMP30: A Randomised Control Trial

Bibliographic Details
Title: Effects of Twelve Weeks of Square Stepping Exercises on Physical and Cognitive Function and Plasma Content of SMP30: A Randomised Control Trial
Authors: Juan Manuel Franco-García, Jorge Pérez-Gómez, Antonio Castillo-Paredes, Pedro Cosme Redondo, Jorge Rojo-Ramos, Noelia Mayordomo-Pinilla, Santos Villafaina, Mari Carmen Gómez-Álvaro, Maria Melo-Alonso, Jorge Carlos-Vivas
Source: Geriatrics, Vol 10, Iss 1, p 22 (2025)
Publisher Information: MDPI AG, 2025.
Publication Year: 2025
Collection: LCC:Geriatrics
Subject Terms: ageing, electroencephalography, executive cognitive function, physical fitness, quality of life, Geriatrics, RC952-954.6
More Details: Background: Ageing and sedentary lifestyles affect physical and cognitive function and markers of frailty, increasing the risk of falls in older adults and affecting their quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a Square Step Exercise programme on physical and cognitive function and plasma SMP30 levels for the prevention of falls in older adults. Methods: A randomised controlled trial was designed with 44 participants assigned to an experimental group (SSE group) and a control group. The SSE group performed SSE sessions twice a week for three months, with a follow-up in the fourth month. The assessments of physical function included tests such as the Four-Square Step Test, Brisk Walking and its dual-task variant, Time Up and Go and its imagined and dual-task variants, 30 s Sit-to-Stand and its dual-task and imagined variants and a 6 min walking test. Questionnaires were also used to assess the risk and fear of falling. Resting EEG activity was also recorded to assess electrocortical brain activity. SMP30 levels were measured by Western blotting. Results: The SSE group showed significant improvements compared to the control group in the Four-Square Step Test (p < 0.001), Brisk Walking (p < 0.05) and reduction in the fear of falling (p < 0.001) after the training programme, but these adaptations were not maintained one month after the programme ended (p < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in the remaining variables of physical function, cognitive function, fall risk questionnaire, EEG activity or plasma levels of SMP30 compared to the control group (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The SSE programme showed efficacy in improving balance, gait speed and reducing fear of falling in older adults but did not show improvement over the control group in other areas of physical or cognitive function or plasma SMP30 levels for fall prevention.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2308-3417
Relation: https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/10/1/22; https://doaj.org/toc/2308-3417
DOI: 10.3390/geriatrics10010022
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/72efd221645c434c8d95bc1efd4d50bf
Accession Number: edsdoj.72efd221645c434c8d95bc1efd4d50bf
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:23083417
DOI:10.3390/geriatrics10010022
Published in:Geriatrics
Language:English