The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether elastic-band resistance training, with or without breathing training, can improve lung function and physical function in older adults with pulmonary function impairment living in the community. It will also learn about the safety and feasibility of these exercise programs.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does elastic-band resistance training improve lung function, lower-limb muscle strength, walking ability, and exercise tolerance?
Does adding structured breathing training to elastic-band resistance training provide additional benefits for lung function and respiratory-related health status?
Are these exercise programs safe and acceptable for older adults in a community setting?
Researchers will compare three groups: elastic-band resistance training plus breathing training, elastic-band resistance training alone, and usual health education. This will help determine whether elastic-band resistance training is helpful and whether breathing training adds extra benefit.
Participants will:
Take part in a 12-week study
Be assigned by chance to one of three groups
Attend supervised exercise sessions 3 times per week if assigned to an exercise group
Receive usual health education and daily activity guidance
Complete lung function tests, muscle strength tests, physical function tests, and questionnaires at the start of the study, at 6 weeks, and at 12 weeks
Age 60 to 85 years
Pulmonary function impairment identified by community-based spirometry screening
Community-dwelling older adults
Able to communicate and walk independently
Acute or unstable cardiovascular, respiratory, or severe musculoskeletal disease that made exercise training unsafe
Recent acute exacerbation, surgery, severe infection, or other health event that could affect safe participation
Significant cognitive impairment, communication disorder, or inability to cooperate with training or assessments
Currently receiving systematic pulmonary rehabilitation or regular structured exercise training that could affect the intervention effect