Feasibility and Preliminary Effects of Music-Enhanced Calisthenic Exercise in Healthy Sedentary Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Physical inactivity in older adults is associated with decreased mobility, functional decline, and reduced quality of life. Music may enhance exercise engagement and adherence. This pilot randomized controlled trial evaluated the feasibility of a music-enhanced calisthenic exercise program in residential care homes and explored its preliminary effects on functional and psychosocial outcomes. Thirty-one healthy, sedentary older adults (mean age = 74.4 ± 5.9 years) were randomly assigned to a Calisthenic Exercise Group (CEG), a Music-Enhanced Calisthenic Exercise Group (MCEG), or a Control Group (CG). Intervention groups completed 16 supervised sessions over 8 weeks. The MCEG performed exercises with rhythmic music. Feasibility outcomes included recruitment, retention, adherence, and adverse events. Functional outcomes were assessed using the Timed Up and Go (TUG), 30-Second Sit-to-Stand test, and Joint Position Sense test; health-related quality of life was measured using the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). Recruitment was 96.9%, retention 100%, and adherence 87.5%. No adverse events occurred. Both intervention groups improved significantly compared with the CG (p = 0.001), with larger effects in the MCEG, particularly in proprioception (p = 0.002, d = 1.46). TUG scores improved by 17% (p = 0.004, d = 0.26). Music-enhanced calisthenic exercise was feasible, safe, and well tolerated. Preliminary findings indicate benefits for physical function and health-related quality of life, supporting the need for larger trials. Trial Registration. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06973538 (retrospectively registered)