Improvements in walking speed experienced by elders participating in a cardiovascular exercise program

• Published in: Journal of geriatric physical therapy (2001) Vol. 29; no. 3; pp. 87 - 91
• Main Authors: Thomas, K Jackson, Pilon, Mark, Hendrix, Katharine
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Issues on Aging 2006
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Exercise; Exercise Test; Female; Geriatric Assessment; Humans; Male; Physical fitness; Retrospective Studies; Studies; Time Factors; Walking
• ISSN: 1539-8412; 2152-0895
• DOI: 10.1519/00139143-200612000-00002

The purpose of this retrospective investigation was to determine: (1) whether a cardiovascular exercise program was capable of improving treadmill gait speed of elderly individuals, and (2) if such an improvement was associated with specific determinants.
Twenty residents of a retirement community were assessed at baseline and followed up after approximately 1 year (mean=10.7 +/- 1.1 months) of participation in a prescribed cardiovascular exercise program. On each individual's initial visit, self-regulated walking time for one-quarter mile on a Star Trac 4500 motorized treadmill with no incline was recorded. Individuals were then placed on a cardiovascular exercise program that emphasized walking, which they performed 3 to 5 sessions/week for 20 to 30 minutes/session. At follow-up, individuals repeated the one quarter-mile treadmill walk, and times were compared to those obtained on the initial visit.
Mean walking treadmill times decreased significantly (p < 0.05) from 7.7 +/- 2.7 minutes to 5.7 +/- 2.1 minutes, with both male and female participants showing similar changes. Baseline walk time and change in walk time at follow-up were highly correlated (r = .682/p < .0001), but participants with slower baseline walk times showed the greatest gains. Participant age was also correlated to change in walk time (r = .389/p = .045).
All program participants showed some degree of improvement in walking speed, suggesting that benefits may be applicable to a wide range of elderly groups. However, individuals with the slowest baseline walk times demonstrated the greatest improvement.