Home-based leg strengthening for older adults initiated through private practice

Leg strength correlates with functional ability in the frail elderly, many of whom can be reached through a private practice setting. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of physician-prescribed, home-based, clinic-monitored, high-intensity leg-strengthening treatment among elderly patients with a variety of medical problems.

Twenty-two elderly patients with a variety of chronic medical conditions were invited to participate during regularly scheduled office visits if they had difficulty rising from a chair and an unsteady, cautious gait (age 85.1 +/- 5.7, 14 female). Physical therapists (PT) instructed patients to lift ankle weights at home, three times per week. Patients visited PT five times over a 12-week period. Weights were increased at each visit.

Patients' one-repetition maximum increased (right leg 13 to 21 lb, P = 0.00; left leg 15 to 22 lb, P = 0.00). Patients also improved in habitual (18 to 12 s, P = 0.01) and tandem (38 to 26 s, P = 0.00) 20-foot walking times and sit-to-stand time (5 to 3 s, P = 0.01).

The primary care physician can initiate a home-based leg-strengthening program that is practical for and well tolerated by the frail elderly.