Effects of treadmill training on walking economy in Parkinson's disease: a pilot study.
Gait disturbances are frequent in Parkinson's disease (PD) and are associated with increased energy expenditure during walking. This study evaluated whether the effects of treadmill training are associated with an improvement of walking economy. Ten patients with idiopathic PD underwent treadmill training (30 min, three times a week for 4 weeks). Walking performance (Tauimed Up and Go, 6-min and 10-m walking tests) and metabolic function (oxygen uptake, heart and respiratory rate) were evaluated before training, at the end of treatment and after 30 days with two different graded exercises (treadmill and cycloergometer). Training significantly improved walking performance. Oxygen uptake, and heart and respiratory rates were significantly decreased only during graded exercise on the treadmill, but not on the cycloergometer. Treadmill training reduces energy expenditure during walking in PD, but the improvements of metabolic walking economy are associated with the specifically trained motor activity.
Pelosin
Elisa
E
Department of Neurosciences, Ophthalmology and Gentics, University of Genoa, Via de Toni 5, 16132 Genoa, Italy.
Faelli
Emanuela
E
Lofrano
Francesco
F
Avanzino
Laura
L
Marinelli
Lucio
L
Bove
Marco
M
Ruggeri
Piero
P
Abbruzzese
Giovanni
G
D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D056152:Respiratory Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*