Bugnariu N1, Watson T1, Wilson M-C2, Salvatore M3
1University of North Texas Health Science Center, PT, Forth Worth, United States, 2University of North Texas Health Science Center, Forth Woth, United States, 3University of North Texas Health Science Center, GSBS Neurosciences, Forth Worth, United States
Background: Falls are a major source of disability in the aging population1-2. Walking, has been linked to reduced risk of falls in this population2. Treadmill walking has even been showed to positively impact muscle-strengthening, motor control, and balance3.
Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to determine if a high intensity aerobic exercise program can improve postural control in older adults.
Methods: 15 subjects between 51 and 71 years old, 8 females and 7 males have participated Subjects were sedentary but otherwise healthy without any restrictions for exercise. Participants completed 36, 1-hour exercise sessions, 3 times a week over 3-4 months, consisting of 40 min fast pace walk/jog, with a 10 min warm-up and cool down. A high intensity at minimum 80% max heart rate was aimed for as long as possible in each session and intensity was progressively increased during training. Postural control was assessed at baseline (V1), mid-point during exercise training (V2) and at the end of exercise training (V3) using a dynamic balance task. A V-GAIT dual-belt treadmill was used to create surface perturbations and a 12-camera Motion Analysis system collected body kinematics. Backward surface translation perturbations inducing a forward loss of balance were presented randomly at two levels (2m/s2, and 5 m/s2). Primary outcome measures were: maximum Center of Pressure - Center of Mass (COP-COM) distance during the first compensatory step and reaction time for initiating the first compensatory step. Paired samples t tests with significance set at p 0.05 were used for analysis.
Results: Results show that maximum COP-COM distance during the first compensatory step increased significantly from an average of 9.87 ±1.70 cm to 19.92 ±2.40 cm as the level of perturbation increased. The reaction time for initiating the first compensatory step in response to the slowest perturbation decreased significantly between V1 (608 ±63 ms) and V3 (543±17 ms), with a similar trend but no significant change in response to the fastest perturbation.Compared to baseline values, after the exercise training, average resting heart rate measurement decreased significantly from 88 bpm to 75 bpm. The maximum blood pressure values at the highest exercise intensity also decreased significantly between the first and last session of exercise, from 248/180 to 189/145.
Conclusion(s): Larger COP-COM distances during the first compensatory step are indicative of a robust postural control.4 A high intensity aerobic consisting of walking/jogging exercise on a treadmill improved the reaction time for initiating the first compensatory step in response to balance perturbations by an average of 50 ms, which is clinically meaningful for preventing a fall.
Implications: As therapists strive to keep older adults physically active, choices of exercise programs that are feasible, and can provide both cardiovascular and postural control benefits are needed, since older adults who are more physically active have a decreased fall rate1-2. Emerging evidence suggests that high intensity aerobic exercise including fast walking/jogging can improve postural control in older adults.5 Physical therapists should consider incorporating high intensity aerobic training for older adults with poor postural control to increase quality of life and decrease risk of falls.
Keywords: Aging, Exercise, Postural Control
Funding acknowledgements: Institute of Healthy Aging, UNTHSC. NIH, PDRT Grant #5R25HL125447
Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to determine if a high intensity aerobic exercise program can improve postural control in older adults.
Methods: 15 subjects between 51 and 71 years old, 8 females and 7 males have participated Subjects were sedentary but otherwise healthy without any restrictions for exercise. Participants completed 36, 1-hour exercise sessions, 3 times a week over 3-4 months, consisting of 40 min fast pace walk/jog, with a 10 min warm-up and cool down. A high intensity at minimum 80% max heart rate was aimed for as long as possible in each session and intensity was progressively increased during training. Postural control was assessed at baseline (V1), mid-point during exercise training (V2) and at the end of exercise training (V3) using a dynamic balance task. A V-GAIT dual-belt treadmill was used to create surface perturbations and a 12-camera Motion Analysis system collected body kinematics. Backward surface translation perturbations inducing a forward loss of balance were presented randomly at two levels (2m/s2, and 5 m/s2). Primary outcome measures were: maximum Center of Pressure - Center of Mass (COP-COM) distance during the first compensatory step and reaction time for initiating the first compensatory step. Paired samples t tests with significance set at p 0.05 were used for analysis.
Results: Results show that maximum COP-COM distance during the first compensatory step increased significantly from an average of 9.87 ±1.70 cm to 19.92 ±2.40 cm as the level of perturbation increased. The reaction time for initiating the first compensatory step in response to the slowest perturbation decreased significantly between V1 (608 ±63 ms) and V3 (543±17 ms), with a similar trend but no significant change in response to the fastest perturbation.Compared to baseline values, after the exercise training, average resting heart rate measurement decreased significantly from 88 bpm to 75 bpm. The maximum blood pressure values at the highest exercise intensity also decreased significantly between the first and last session of exercise, from 248/180 to 189/145.
Conclusion(s): Larger COP-COM distances during the first compensatory step are indicative of a robust postural control.4 A high intensity aerobic consisting of walking/jogging exercise on a treadmill improved the reaction time for initiating the first compensatory step in response to balance perturbations by an average of 50 ms, which is clinically meaningful for preventing a fall.
Implications: As therapists strive to keep older adults physically active, choices of exercise programs that are feasible, and can provide both cardiovascular and postural control benefits are needed, since older adults who are more physically active have a decreased fall rate1-2. Emerging evidence suggests that high intensity aerobic exercise including fast walking/jogging can improve postural control in older adults.5 Physical therapists should consider incorporating high intensity aerobic training for older adults with poor postural control to increase quality of life and decrease risk of falls.
Keywords: Aging, Exercise, Postural Control
Funding acknowledgements: Institute of Healthy Aging, UNTHSC. NIH, PDRT Grant #5R25HL125447
Topic: Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing; Human movement analysis; Older people
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: University of North Texas Health Science center
Ethics committee: NorthTexas IRB
Ethics number: 2016-140
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
