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Improvements in walking speed experienced by elders participating in a cardiovascular exercise program.
K Jackson Thomas1, Mark Pilon, Katharine Hendrix
1Department of Rehabilitation Sciences/CHP, 151 Rutledge Avenue, Building B, PO Box 250965, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. thomaskj@musc.edu
Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy (2001)
|March 27, 2007
Summary
A cardiovascular exercise program significantly improved walking speed in elderly individuals. Those with slower initial walking times experienced the most substantial gains, indicating exercise benefits for diverse older adults.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Exercise Physiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Gait speed is a critical indicator of health and mobility in older adults.
- Maintaining or improving gait speed is essential for independence and quality of life in the elderly population.
- Cardiovascular exercise programs are increasingly recognized for their potential to mitigate age-related declines in physical function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a cardiovascular exercise program in enhancing treadmill gait speed among elderly individuals.
- To identify determinants associated with improvements in gait speed following a structured exercise intervention.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study involving 20 retirement community residents over approximately one year.
- Participants engaged in a walking-focused cardiovascular exercise program (3-5 sessions/week, 20-30 min/session).
- Treadmill walking times for a quarter-mile were recorded at baseline and follow-up to assess changes in gait speed.
Main Results:
- Mean treadmill walking times significantly decreased from 7.7 to 5.7 minutes (p < 0.05).
- Baseline walking time and age were correlated with improvements in gait speed (r = .682, p < .0001 and r = .389, p = .045, respectively).
- Individuals with slower baseline walking speeds exhibited the most significant improvements.
Conclusions:
- The cardiovascular exercise program effectively improved walking speed across a broad spectrum of elderly participants.
- The greatest benefits in walking speed were observed in individuals who had slower baseline walking times.
- These findings support the implementation of cardiovascular exercise for enhancing mobility in older adults.
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