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Investigating the effect of aerobic exercises, yoga, and spirituality on the participation of the elderly in physical activity and sports

Protocol summary

Study aim
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of aerobic exercises, yoga, and spirituality on the participation of the elderly in physical activity and sports.
Design
This study is a randomized and not-blinded trial with a parallel-group design, including 120 older adults over 60 years old.
Settings and conduct
Older adults over 60 years who are living in Tehran's community-dwelling centers during the study will be included in the study if they are eligible and will be randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups by lottery. This study will be conducted in an "not blinded" manner in which the purpose of the research will be explained to the instructors, participants, and the analyst.
Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria were men and women over 60 years old, without cognitive impairment, and without physical disability. Exclusion criteria included participation in aerobics, yoga, or spirituality classes in the past six months, and any changes in the participant’s general health during exercise that would prevent them from continuing exercise.
Intervention groups
The intervention program for Group 1 consisted of eight weeks of aerobic exercises, including brisk walking, jogging, and running. Group 2 participated in an eight-week yoga program, including stretching exercises, meditation, and mindfulness practices. Group 3 underwent an eight-week spirituality program, including prayer, meaning-making activities, and self-awareness exercises. The control group continued their usual daily activities at the residential care facility, such as routine social and cultural programs, and did not receive any intervention.
Main outcome variables
Intention to participate in physical activity and exercise, depression, anxiety

General information

Reason for update
Acronym
IRCT registration information
IRCT registration number: IRCT20260105068555N1
Registration date: 2026-02-05, 1404/11/16
Registration timing: registered_while_recruiting

Last update: 2026-02-05, 1404/11/16
Update count: 0
Registration date
2026-02-05, 1404/11/16
Registrant information
Name
Saeed Ghorbani
Name of organization / entity
Country
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Phone
+98 21 5635 8105
Email address
saeedghorbani_ur@yahoo.com
Recruitment status
Recruitment complete
Funding source
Expected recruitment start date
2026-01-20, 1404/10/30
Expected recruitment end date
2026-04-20, 1405/01/31
Actual recruitment start date
empty
Actual recruitment end date
empty
Trial completion date
empty
Scientific title
Investigating the effect of aerobic exercises, yoga, and spirituality on the participation of the elderly in physical activity and sports
Public title
The effect of physical exercise and spirituality on sports participation of the elderly
Purpose
Supportive
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:
Men and women over 60 years old No mental disorder No physical disorder
Exclusion criteria:
participating in aerobic, yoga, or spirituality classes since in the past six months Any change in the general state of the patient's body during exercise so that he is not able to exercise
Age
From 60 years old to 90 years old
Gender
Both
Phase
N/A
Groups that have been masked
No information
Sample size
Target sample size: 120
Randomization (investigator's opinion)
Randomized
Randomization description
Simple randomization was performed based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Assignment to the intervention and control groups was done by drawing lots. The labels "Aerobics," "Yoga," "Spirituality," and "Control (no exercise)" were written on separate slips of paper, placed in a container in quantities corresponding to the number of participants, and then participants were assigned to their respective groups according to the list.
Blinding (investigator's opinion)
Not blinded
Blinding description
Placebo
Not used
Assignment
Parallel
Other design features

Secondary Ids

empty

Ethics committees

1

Ethics committee
Name of ethics committee
Ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University - Sari Branch
Street address
Islamic Azad University - Sari Branch, 7th Km Darya Road, Sari
City
Sari
Province
Mazandaran
Postal code
48164-194
Approval date
2024-07-30, 1403/05/09
Ethics committee reference number
IR.IAU.SARI.REC.1403.203

Health conditions studied

1

Description of health condition studied
Physical activity and exercise, depression, anxiety
ICD-10 code
Z02.5
ICD-10 code description
Encounter for examination for participation in sport

Primary outcomes

1

Description
Intention to participate in physical activity and exercise
Timepoint
One week before and after intervention
Method of measurement
"Intention to Participate in Sports" questionnaire by Gill, Gross, and Huddleston (1983)

2

Description
Depression
Timepoint
One week before and after intervention
Method of measurement
The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 Items (DASS-21) by Beck (1993)

3

Description
Anxiety
Timepoint
One week before and after intervention
Method of measurement
The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 Items (DASS-21) by Beck (1993)

Secondary outcomes

empty

Intervention groups

1

Description
Intervention Group 1 will participate in a group aerobic exercise program for eight weeks, with three sessions per week, each lasting 30–50 minutes. Each session will consist of three parts: warm-up, main exercise, and cool-down. During the warm-up, participants will walk at a normal pace and perform stretching and flexibility exercises to prepare the body and reduce the risk of injury. The main exercise will consist of brisk walking, jogging, and running, aiming to improve cardiovascular endurance, enhance overall physical fitness, and strengthen muscles. Participants will be guided by a trained instructor, who will ensure correct technique and provide support to maximize both safety and effectiveness. The cool-down will include walking at a slower pace and additional stretching and flexibility exercises to relax muscles, prevent stiffness, and facilitate recovery. Participants will be encouraged to actively engage in all exercises, reflect on their experiences, and gradually integrate these activities into their daily routines, with the goal of progressively improving physical fitness and comfort with aerobic exercise over the eight-week program.
Category
Lifestyle

2

Description
Intervention Group 2 will participate in a group yoga program for eight weeks, with three sessions per week, each lasting 30–50 minutes. Each session will consist of three parts: warm-up, main exercise, and cool-down. The warm-up will include stretching and flexibility exercises to prepare the body and reduce the risk of injury. The main exercise will consist of yoga breathing exercises, meditation, and mindfulness practices, focusing on breath control, body awareness, and mental relaxation. Participants will be guided step-by-step by a trained instructor to ensure correct technique and active engagement. The cool-down will include additional stretching and flexibility exercises to promote relaxation and recovery. Participants will be encouraged to actively engage in all exercises, reflect on their experiences, and discuss insights with the group, with the goal of gradually improving physical flexibility and mental focus over the eight-week program.
Category
Lifestyle

3

Description
Intervention Group 3 will participate in a group spirituality program for eight weeks, with three sessions per week, each lasting approximately 30 minutes. Each session will include structured training and practice in prayer, gratitude exercises, and self-awareness activities. During the prayer component, participants will learn short prayers and focus on positive words and feelings. In the gratitude component, they will write or share three things they are grateful for and discuss with the group how this affects their emotions. In the self-awareness component, participants will practice mindful breathing, observe their thoughts and feelings, and reflect on personal experiences. Sessions will be guided by a trained facilitator who will provide step-by-step instructions. Participants will be encouraged to actively engage in the exercises, reflect on their experiences, and discuss insights with the group, with the aim of progressively enhancing their skills and comfort with the practices over the eight-week program.
Category
Lifestyle

4

Description
Control group: Control group subjects do not participate in any intervention and participate in the daily affairs and activities, such as educational, cultural, and social activities, during the research.
Category
N/A

Recruitment centers

1

Recruitment center
Name of recruitment center
Golbarg Residential Care Facility
Full name of responsible person
Saeed Ghorbani
Street address
No. 3, South Samangan Ave, Narmak, Tehran
City
Tehran
Province
Tehran
Postal code
49416-66117
Phone
+98 21 7784 2173
Fax
Email
Saeedghorbani_ur@yahoo.com

Sponsors / Funding sources

1

Sponsor
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University of Islamshahr
Full name of responsible person
Pezhman Hosseinion
Street address
No. 6, Islamic Azad University of Islamshahr, shahid sayad shirazi St, namaz Sq, Islamshahr
City
Islamshahr
Province
Tehran
Postal code
49416-66117
Phone
+98 935 939 0733
Email
info@iiau.ac.ir
Grant name
Grant code / Reference number
Is the source of funding the same sponsor organization/entity?
Yes
Title of funding source
Islamic Azad University of Islamshahr
Proportion provided by this source
100
Public or private sector
Public
Domestic or foreign origin
Domestic
Category of foreign source of funding
empty
Country of origin
Type of organization providing the funding
Academic

Person responsible for general inquiries

Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Saeed Ghorbani
Position
Associate Professir
Latest degree
Ph.D.
Other areas of specialty/work
Sport Medicine
Street address
No. 12, Sardar Jangal, Poonak
City
Tehran
Province
Tehran
Postal code
49416-66117
Phone
+98 21 5635 6185
Email
Saeedghorbani_ur@yahoo.com

Person responsible for scientific inquiries

Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Saeed Ghorbani
Position
Associate Professor
Latest degree
Ph.D.
Other areas of specialty/work
Sport Medicine
Street address
No. 12, Sardar Jangal, Poonak
City
Tehran
Province
Tehran
Postal code
49416-66117
Phone
+98 21 5635 6185
Email
Saeedghorbani_ur@yahoo.com

Person responsible for updating data

Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Saeed Ghorbani
Position
Associate Professor
Latest degree
Ph.D.
Other areas of specialty/work
Sport Medicine
Street address
No. 12, Sardar Jangal, Poonak
City
Tehran
Province
Tehran
Postal code
49416-66117
Phone
+98 21 5635 6185
Email
Saeedghorbani_ur@yahoo.com

Sharing plan

Deidentified Individual Participant Data Set (IPD)
No - There is not a plan to make this available
Justification/reason for indecision/not sharing IPD
There is no further information
Study Protocol
No - There is not a plan to make this available
Statistical Analysis Plan
No - There is not a plan to make this available
Informed Consent Form
No - There is not a plan to make this available
Clinical Study Report
No - There is not a plan to make this available
Analytic Code
No - There is not a plan to make this available
Data Dictionary
No - There is not a plan to make this available
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