The effect of 6 months training on leg power, balance, and functional mobility of independently living adults over 70 years old.
Where strength training has been used in conjunction with functional-task training in older people, not only have there been improvements in leg strength but also improved function has been measured (e.g., Skelton & McLaughlin, 1996). Many studies use participants from care homes rather than community dwellers. We investigated changes in leg power, balance, and functional mobility in community-dwelling sedentary men and women over 70 years of age (n = 6 for training group [TR]; n = 10 for control group [CN]). Progressive training took place over 24 weeks using seated and nonseated exercise. For TR, leg power increased 40%, from 108 +/- 40 to 141 +/- 53 W (p < .01); dynamic balance increased 48%, from 22.3 +/- 7.9 to 33.1 +/- 6.1 cm (p < .01; functional reach); and functional mobility increased 12%, from 7.46 +/- 1.32 to 6.54 +/- 1.41 s (p < .05; timed walk). CN showed no significant change. In conclusion, a community-based exercise program led to large improvements in leg-extensor power, dynamic balance, and functional mobility.
Ramsbottom
Roger
R
School of Biological and Molecular Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK.
Ambler
Anne
A
Potter
Janie
J
Jordan
Barbara
B
Nevill
Alan
A
Williams
Carol
C
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*; D000368:Aged / Q000502:physiology*; D049628:Body Size / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology*; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*