Walking with a rollator and the level of physical intensity in adults 75 years of age or older.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether walking with a rollator by persons 75 years of age or older is of sufficient intensity to improve aerobic fitness.


METHODS
A cross-sectional cohort study.


METHODS
University movement laboratory.


METHODS
Fifteen subjects 75 years of age or older (mean age, 83.7 y) who could only walk by using a rollator.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
During 6 minutes of self-paced treadmill walking using a rollator at a mean walking speed of 0.6 m/s, oxygen uptake (Vo2), carbon dioxide production, and heart rate were determined. Respiratory exchange ratio (RER) and energy expenditure were calculated. The energy expenditure was expressed as the number of metabolic equivalents (METS), the percentage of estimated maximal Vo2 (Vo2max), the percentage of estimated Vo2max reserve, and the percentage of estimated maximal heart rate.


RESULTS
Mean Vo2 was .718 L/min. Mean RER was .93 (95% confidence interval [CI], .89-.97). Thirteen participants showed an RER below 1.0, which indicates a negligible contribution of anaerobic expenditure. Walking with a rollator required a mean of 2.8 (95% CI, 2.4-3.2) METS, 71.9% of Vo2max (95% CI, 65.2%-78.6%), 50.5% (95% CI, 39.4%-61.5%) of Vo2 reserve, and 75.2% (95% CI, 67.6%-82.8%) of estimated maximal heart rate.


CONCLUSIONS
For people 75 years of age or older, walking with a rollator is an activity of moderate to high level of intensity, with the capacity of improving aerobic fitness.
Eggermont
Laura H
LH
Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. LHP.Eggermont@psy.vu.nl
van Heuvelen
Marieke J
MJ
van Keeken
Brenda L
BL
Hollander
Arie P
AP
Scherder
Erik J
EJ
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange / Q000502:physiology*; D014853:Walkers; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*