Feasibility and Effects of Inspiratory Muscle Training Combined With Blood Flow Restriction for Frail Older Adults

This is a parallel randomized controlled trial. 30 participants who are older adults with frailty will be enrolled. Eligible participants who complete the baseline measurements will be randomly allocated to a combined BFR and IMT intervention group (N=15) or in the control group with BFR and sham IMT (N=15). Primary outcomes include feasibility and physical function (i.e., the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and Time Up and Go (TUG) test). Secondary outcomes include respiratory muscle strength, handgrip strength, five-times sit-to-stand performance, body composition, frailty level, fall efficacy, blood pressure, and adverse events. All outcomes will be assessed at baseline (T0) and immediately after the 6-week intervention period (T1) in both groups.