The effects of a 12-week walking program on community-dwelling older adults.
Walking is a popular and easily accessible form of physical activity. However, walking instruction for older adults is based on the evidence gathered from younger populations. This study evaluated walking conditions, strength, balance, and subjective health status after a 12-week walking-training program in community-dwelling adults > 65-years-old. Participants walked 1,921 m (3,158.88 steps) in 26.69 min with a heart rate of 114 beats/min. An analysis of covariance to adjust for previous exercise habits, pretest strength, and subjective health status revealed significant differences in strength and in subjective physical and mental health status between experimental and control groups. This study identified the effects of the walking-training program on community-dwelling elderly adults without changing their previous physical activities.
Cheng
Shun-Ping
SP
Department of Health, Lo-Sheng Sanatorium, Taipei, Taiwan.
Tsai
Tzu-I
TI
Lii
Yun-Kung
YK
Yu
Shu
S
Chou
Chen-Liang
CL
Chen
I-Ju
IJ
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D009043:Motor Activity; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*