Should physical activity programs be tailored when older adults have compromised function?
The purpose of this study was to determine whether a walking program supplemented by tasks designed to challenge balance and mobility (WALK+) could improve physical function more than a traditional walking program (WALK) in older adults at risk for mobility disability. 31 community-dwelling older adults (M +/- SD age = 76 +/- 5 yr; Short Physical Performance Battery [SPPB] score = 8.4 +/- 1.7) were randomized to treatment. Both interventions were 18 sessions (1 hr, 3x/wk) and progressive in intensity and duration. Physical function was assessed using the SPPB and the 400-m-walk time. A subset of participants in the WALK group who had relatively lower baseline function showed only small improvement in their SPPB scores after the intervention (0.3 +/- 0.5), whereas a subset of participants in the WALK+ group with low baseline function showed substantial improvement in their SPPB scores (2.2 +/- 0.7). These preliminary data underscore the potential importance of tailoring interventions for older adults based on baseline levels of physical function.
Dept. of Health and Exercise Science, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
Anthony P
AP
Marsh
Elizabeth A
EA
Chmelo
Jeffrey A
JA
Katula
Shannon L
SL
Mihalko
W Jack
WJ
Rejeski
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D009043:Motor Activity; D004856:Postural Balance; D016730:Program Development; D011594:Psychometrics; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*