Boxe4Ageing: Investigando los Efectos del Boxeo y Entrenamiento Multicomponente en la Salud de los Adultos Mayores –Protocolo de Estudio Cuasi-Experimental

Introduction:Physical exercise is essential for maintaining functionality and independence in later life. However, the specific benefits of boxing as a form of exercise remain unclear. Objective: To describe the protocol of Boxe4Ageing, a program designed to compare the effects of boxing (BT) and multicomponent training (MT) on cognitive performance, brain activity, physical fitness, and fall risk in community-dwelling older adults in Portugal.Methodology: This quasi-experimental study protocol will include participants aged ≥60years, assigned to one of three groups: BT, MT, or a control group (CG). The exercise programs will run for 24 weeks, with twosessionsper week. CG participants will maintain their usual activities. Assessments will occur at baseline, mid-intervention (12 weeks), post-intervention (24 weeks), and after a 12-week detraining period. Results:Primary outcomes include cognition, brain activity, physical fitness, and fall risk; secondary outcomes are quality of life and exercise satisfaction. Discussion: If successful, this study could provide evidence supporting the inclusion of boxing in community health programs aimed at preventing falls, improving cognitive health, and enhancing physical fitness in older adults. It mayoffer a low-cost, accessible intervention with significant potential benefits for older adults.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov–Identifier NCT05826314, registered April 24, 2023.