HealthySteps: Exercise for Older Adults With Mobility Limitation

Simon Fraser University72 enrolled

Overview

This study will compare three different exercise programs in older adults who report difficulty walking and will determine if the programs improve walking.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Mobility Limitation

Interventions

Timing and CoordinationBEHAVIORAL

This intervention is based on progressively difficult stepping and walking patterns that promote the timing and coordination of stepping within the gait cycle. Small-group 60-minute classes twice weekly for 12 weeks.

Aerobic WalkingBEHAVIORAL

Outdoor walking with progressive increases in exercise intensity. Small-group 60-minute classes twice weekly for 12 weeks.

Stretching and RelaxationBEHAVIORAL

Full-body stretching, range-of-motion exercises, and relaxation techniques. No specific gait training. Small-group 60-minute classes twice weekly for 12 weeks.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 65 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Men and women who live in the lower mainland (greater Vancouver) area of British Columbia * Aged 65 years or older * Living independently in their own home * Report mobility limitation, defined as any difficulty walking one-quarter mile (about 2-3 blocks) outside on level ground or climbing one flight of stairs (about 10 steps) without resting because of a health or physical problem Exclusion Criteria: * Have a current medical condition for which exercise is contraindicated * Have participated in an exercise intervention study in the past 6 months * Do not have adequate cognitive function to provide informed consent and participate fully in the study * Do not speak and understand English fluently

Locations (1)

Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

energy cost of walking

assessed by oxygen consumption during treadmill and overground walking

Time frame: 12 weeks

fatigue and fatigability

assessed by questionnaire, rated perceived exertion during walking, and decrements in walking performance over time.

Time frame: 12 weeks

daily activity

assessed by accelerometry and the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly

Time frame: 12 weeks

life-space mobility

assessed by life-space mobility questionnaire

Time frame: 12 weeks

endurance

assessed by the long-distance corridor walk

Time frame: 12 weeks

physical function

assessed by standing balance, gait speed, and chair stands

Time frame: 12 weeks

Secondary Outcomes

energy cost of walking

assessed by oxygen consumption during treadmill and overground walking

Time frame: 24 weeks

fatigue and fatigability

assessed by questionnaire, rated perceived exertion during walking, and decrements in walking performance over time

Time frame: 24 weeks

daily activity

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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