The effect of short-term health promotion intervention on motor function in community-dwelling older adults

Slow walking speed as one indicator of physical frailty has been found to be associated with deterioration of the health status. Although many reports have shown that exercise training improves motor function, it is unclear whether a group-based and short-term health promotion intervention will improve motor function in older adults.

This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a short-term health promotion intervention on motor function in community-dwelling older adults.

A 6-month middle-term and moderate-intensity programme (MTMIP) and a 6-week short-term high-intensity programme (STHIP) were conducted. There were 28 and 29 subjects selected for the MTMIP and STHIP, respectively. The difference in motor function test outcomes was compared by assessment of comfortable walking speed, maximal walking speed, a sit-to-stand test (STS), and a timed up-and-go test (TUG).

Comfortable walking speed, maximum walking speed, STS and TUG were significantly improved at end of the programme in the STHIP group (p = 0.02, p = 0.03, p < 0.001 and p = 0.002). Multiple regression analysis revealed that implementation of STHIP had a significant effect on end-of-programme comfortable walking speed (β = 0.19, p = 0.006, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.32).

It was assumed that the training content of the STHIP, with its emphasis on high intensity and physical performance, was the main factor in improved walking speed.

Our results demonstrated the effectiveness of STHIP on motor function. These findings could help support development of more effective intervention methods in community-dwelling older adults.