What this means
This is a plan for a study that has not started yet. It will test whether a 12-week exercise program changes immune markers in older adults living in care homes.
Plain-English summary written by an AI model from the registry listing.
- Status
- Opening soon
- Who can join
- Ages 60 and over
- Where
- Not listed
The science
- Registered title
- The Impact of Aerobic Exercise Program on Immunosenescence Institutionalized Older Adults
- Trial ID
- NCT07476911 ↗
- Phase
- Not applicable
- Study type
- interventional
- Conditions
- Immunosenescence, Aging
- What is tested
- Aerobic exercise program
- Sponsor
- Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco
- Ages
- 60 Years to no maximum
- Dates
- First posted Mar 17, 2026 · updated Mar 17, 2026
Registry summary
Background: Immunosenescence is an age-related decline in immune function, associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, increased morbidity, and functional impairment in older adults. Aerobic exercise has been proposed as an effective non-pharmacological strategy to counteract these alterations; however, evidence from randomized-controlled trials (RCTs), particularly in institutionalized elderly populations, remains scarce and methodologically limited.
Objective: This study protocol aims to investigate the effects of short- and medium-term aerobic exercise programs on immunosenescence in institutionalized older adults, as well as to analyze the impact of a detraining period and a subsequent reintervention.
Methods: A stratified RCT will be conducted with institutionalized adults aged ≥60 years, randomly allocated to an aerobic exercise group or a control group. The intervention consists of a supervised 12-week moderate-intensity aerobic exercise program (three sessions/week), followed by a 4-week detraining period and a 4-week reintervention. Assessments will be performed at five time points. Primary outcomes include immunological and analytical parameters assessed by spectral flow cytometry and multiplex cytokine analysis. Secondary outcomes include anthropometry, functional capacity, hemodynamic parameters, heart rate variability, and psychological indicators.
Expected Results: Aerobic exercise is expected to induce favorable immunological adaptations, partially reverse immunosenescence, and improve functional and psychosocial outcomes.