Short Bursts of Exercise Throughout the Day for Older Adults With Overweight or Obesity
Tests short exercise 'snacks' in adults over 65 who are overweight or obese.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: COMPASS 65+ - Community-based Physical Activity Snacks for Healthy Aging in Overweight and Obese Aged Adults
Key facts
- Where
- Coimbra, PortugalSee the site
Where in Portugal
- Fernão de Magalhães Health CenterCoimbra, PortugalNo longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- University of Coimbra
- Trial code
- NCT07289529
- Record updated
- 29 April 2026
- Original description
This study will explore a new way for older adults to become more physically active. As people get older, it's common to gain weight and lose muscle strength. This combination can make it harder to do daily activities, increase the risk of falls, and impact overall quality of life. While we know that regular exercise is very beneficial, many older adults find it difficult to stick to traditional exercise programs due to lack of time, motivation, or energy.Read full original descriptionShow less
COMPASS 65+ - Community-based Physical Activity Snacks for Healthy Aging in Overweight and Obese Aged Adults
This study will explore a new way for older adults to become more physically active. As people get older, it's common to gain weight and lose muscle strength. This combination can make it harder to do daily activities, increase the risk of falls, and impact overall quality of life. While we know that regular exercise is very beneficial, many older adults find it difficult to stick to traditional exercise programs due to lack of time, motivation, or energy.
This research project, called COMPASS 65+, will test an innovative approach called "snack exercise." Instead of one long workout, "snack exercise" involves doing several short bouts of activity, a few minutes at a time, throughout the day. The main idea is that these short, frequent bouts of activity might be easier to fit into a daily routine and less tiring than longer exercise sessions.
The purpose of this study is to see if a "snack exercise" program is a feasible and enjoyable way for adults aged 65 and over, who are overweight or obese, to improve their health. The study will be conducted in two main parts. First, the research team will talk with older adults to understand what helps or hinders them from being active to co-design the program. Second, volunteers will be randomly assigned to either a "snack exercise" group or a control group.
Participants in the "snack exercise" group will attend sessions that combine theory and practice to learn how to perform these exercises and will receive individualized prescriptions to perform the "snacks" (short bouts) at home. The control group will receive a brief educational counselling session on physical activity. Participants' health status, body composition, and physical fitness will be assessed at baseline, after the 12 weeks intervention, and again 6 weeks post-intervention to evaluate the maintenance of any improvements. These outcomes will help determine whether short bouts of 'exercise snacking' constitute a feasible and effective strategy to promote functional capacity, metabolic health, and long-term adherence to physical activity.
Inclusion: adults aged ≥65 years with a BMI ≥25 kg/m².
Exclusion: unstable chronic disease,; severe mobility impairment; significant cognitive deficits,; contraindications to exercise (assessed via PAR-Q+),; major cardiovascular events within the last 3 months,.