Mobility Limitation
Conditions
Keywords
energy cost of walking, energy metabolism, aged, older adult, exercise, gait, walking, aerobic, motor skill
Brief summary
This study will compare three different exercise programs in older adults who report difficulty walking and will determine if the programs improve walking.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALTiming and Coordination
This intervention is based on progressively difficult stepping and walking patterns that promote the timing and coordination of stepping within the gait cycle. Small-group 60-minute classes twice weekly for 12 weeks.
BEHAVIORALAerobic Walking
Outdoor walking with progressive increases in exercise intensity. Small-group 60-minute classes twice weekly for 12 weeks.
BEHAVIORALStretching and Relaxation
Full-body stretching, range-of-motion exercises, and relaxation techniques. No specific gait training. Small-group 60-minute classes twice weekly for 12 weeks.
Sponsors
Drummond Foundation
Simon Fraser University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
65 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Men and women who live in the lower mainland (greater Vancouver) area of British Columbia * Aged 65 years or older * Living independently in their own home * Report mobility limitation, defined as any difficulty walking one-quarter mile (about 2-3 blocks) outside on level ground or climbing one flight of stairs (about 10 steps) without resting because of a health or physical problem
Exclusion criteria
* Have a current medical condition for which exercise is contraindicated * Have participated in an exercise intervention study in the past 6 months * Do not have adequate cognitive function to provide informed consent and participate fully in the study * Do not speak and understand English fluently
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| energy cost of walking | 12 weeks | assessed by oxygen consumption during treadmill and overground walking |
| fatigue and fatigability | 12 weeks | assessed by questionnaire, rated perceived exertion during walking, and decrements in walking performance over time. |
| daily activity | 12 weeks | assessed by accelerometry and the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly |
| life-space mobility | 12 weeks | assessed by life-space mobility questionnaire |
| endurance | 12 weeks | assessed by the long-distance corridor walk |
| physical function | 12 weeks | assessed by standing balance, gait speed, and chair stands |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| energy cost of walking | 24 weeks | assessed by oxygen consumption during treadmill and overground walking |
| fatigue and fatigability | 24 weeks | assessed by questionnaire, rated perceived exertion during walking, and decrements in walking performance over time |
| daily activity | 24 weeks | assessed by accelerometry and the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly |
| life-space mobility | 24 weeks | assessed by the life-space mobility questionnaire |
| endurance | 24 weeks | assessed by the long-distance corridor walk |
| physical function | 24 weeks | assessed by standing balance, gait speed, and chair stands |
Countries
Canada
Outcome results
None listed