The Power of a Jump! A Jump-Based Intervention Increases Functional Mobility in Older Adults: A Randomized Feasibility Trial. (Preprint)

BACKGROUND This randomized feasibility study addresses the safety and preliminary efficacy of a jump-based training program in older adults, a population in which high-impact exercises are historically underutilized. Our results demonstrate that jump-based training is feasible and safe for older women, with high adherence and no adverse events. Furthermore, the intervention showed a clinically relevant effect size (Cohen's d = 0.60) in improving functional mobility (Timed Up and Go Test - TUG), a strong predictor of fall risk. We believe these results are of great interest to both the academic community and those who apply exercise to this population, especially as they provide a promising basis for the inclusion of more specific and powerful strength exercises in geriatric rehabilitation programs. OBJECTIVE Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and preliminary effects of a 5-week jump-based training program, compared to a traditional multicomponent training program, on functional mobility and lower limb power in older adults.Study Design:Randomized feasibility trial with an unbalanced design. METHODS Randomized feasibility trial with an unbalanced design.Setting:Community-dwelling older adults. Participants:Forty-four (N=44) older adults (≥60 years; 43 women) were randomized into an experimental group (EG; n=35) and a control group (CG; n=9). Interventions:The EG performed a progressive jump-based training program (3x/week).The CG engaged in traditional multicomponent training (strength, endurance, balance).Main Outcome Measures: Feasibility (adherence and safety) and preliminary efficacy in functional mobility (Timed Up and Go-TUG), gait speed (4-Meter Walk - V4M), and lower limb power (Vertical Jump - VJ RESULTS The intervention proved feasible with high adherence and no adverse events. A Group × Time interaction for TUG approached significance (p = 0.137) with a large effect size (Cohen's d = 0.60) favoring the EG. Significant main effects of Time were found for TUG (p = 0.011) and V4M (p = 0.002 CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that jump-based training is a feasible and safe modality for older women. Preliminary data suggest clinically relevant improvements in functional mobility, providing a basis for future large-scale randomized clinical trials. CLINICALTRIAL Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC) under the identification number RBR-3vqhv5d.