Comparative Effects of Multicomponent Training Concerning Elastic Band Training on Physical Fitness, Postural Balance, and Health-related Quality of Life in Older Women

Comparative Effects of Multicomponent Training Concerning Elastic Band Training on Physicalfunctional Fitness, Postural Balance, and Health-related Quality of Life in Older Womean: a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To compare the effects of MCT versus EBT on functional fitness, postural balance, and HRQoL in older women. Methods: Single-blind, parallel-group randomized controlled trial lasting 16 weeks (2 sessions/week, 60 min). Twenty

This study was a single-blind (assessors), randomized controlled trial with parallel groups, comparing the effects of MCT and EBT. Both groups participated in structured physical activity interventions following a quantitative methodological approach. Participant allocation (ratio 1:1) was performed using an online randomization tool (https://www.randomizer.org) by an investigator not involved in assessments. The methodology followed the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) guidelines for randomized clinical trials (Turner et al., 2012). The study was registered in the U.S. ClinicalTrials.gov (registration ID: NCT0678002). The interventions lasted 16 weeks and were conducted twice per week on non-consecutive days: Mondays and Wednesdays for the EBT group, and Tuesdays and Thursdays for the MCT group. Each session lasted 60 minutes. The assessed outcomes included general physical fitness (Chair stand, Arm curl, 2-minute step test, Chair sit-and-reach, Back scratch, TUG, and MIHS for dominant and non-dominant sides), postural balance variables (energy and center of pressure velocity in medio-lateral and antero-posterior directions) under eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions and HRQoL. All assessments were performed in the afternoon (between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.) in a temperature-controlled laboratory, using standardized evaluators to ensure consistency between pre- and post-intervention measurements. During the intervention period, no participants experienced musculoskeletal or cardiorespiratory injuries, and no pain was reported either prior to the assessments or during the training sessions.

Inclusion Criteria:

• individuals over 70 - 75 years of age;
• the ability to understand and follow contextually appropriate instructions through simple commands
• independence, defined as a score of at least 43 points on the Preventive Medical Examination for Older People from the Chilean Ministry of Health (in Spanish, EMPAM) (MINSAL, 2012)
• the ability to comply with at least 85% attendance of the scheduled intervention sessions.

Exclusion Criteria:

• having any form of disability
• having musculoskeletal injuries or being under physical rehabilitation that would prevent participation in usual physical activities
• being permanently or temporarily unable to engage in physical activity.