Effects of flexi-bar training on muscle strength and physical performance in older people with dynapenia: the protocol of a randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION: Dynapenia is a new term that is used to describe the age-related loss of muscle strength. Flexi-bar training is a safe and feasible device for older people with dynapenia. This study will investigate the effects of a 12-week flexi-bar training programme on muscle strength and physical function in older people with dynapenia. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A total of 114 participants (aged more than 65 years) with age-related muscle loss will participate in a 12-week flexi-bar training programme. The participants will be randomly divided into three groups, namely, flexi-bar, placebo and control, with equal number of participants in each group. The assessments will be conducted at preintervention, postintervention and 12 weeks after training completion. The primary outcome is timed-up-and-go test. The secondary outcomes are five-repetition sit-to-stand test, 10-metre walking test, handgrip strength, as well as the serum albumin and haemoglobin levels. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The procedures of this study were reviewed and approved by the Human Ethics Review Board of Wuhan Brain Hospital (General Hospital of the Yangtze River Shipping) on 29 September 2020 (#L20200013). The findings of this study will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at conferences. The trial was registered on 6 November 2020. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN14316668.