The purpose of this pilot study is to investigate the potential role of training frequency on locomotor outcomes following high-intensity gait training and provision of a home walking program.
This study will utilize a 2 arm randomized trial to investigate potential differences in locomotor and community outcomes following 18 visits of high-intensity gait training provided over 6 weeks (high frequency) or 12 weeks (low frequency). Following confirmation of eligibility and baseline testing, individuals will be randomized to either high or low frequency of training and complete subsequent testing at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
40
Individuals will perform up to 40 minutes of walking practice during 60 minute sessions while targeting heart rates of at least 70% heart rate reserve.
Individuals will receive feedback on the minutes of walking activity performed on non-training days and provided coaching strategies to increase this metric.
Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
RECRUITING6-minute walk test
Individuals will be asked to "cover as much ground as possible" over 6 mins. Heart rate will additionally be measured during this assessment (distance in m)
Time frame: After 12 weeks
Peak treadmill speed
Individuals will participate in a walking-based graded exercise test. While harnessed for safety, a motorized treadmill will be initially set to 0.1 m/s and increased by 0.1 m/s each minute until the test is terminated due: 1) requests to stop, 2) unable to keep up with the treadmill and/or loses their balance, 3) absolute exercise test termination criteria provided by ACSM. The highest speed that the individual can walk for a minute at is the peak treadmill speed.
Time frame: After 12 weeks
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