It's all in the hips

To examine if a 12-week, physical therapist (PT) led hip muscle progressive resistance exercise program with elastic bands improved hip strength, balance, and physical function in older women with UI.

A prospective cohort study was used to determine if a12-week, PT-led hip muscle progressive resistance exercise program with elastic bands improved balance and physical function in older women with UI.  The data reported here were part of a larger study that examined if hip strengthening exercises would improve UI symptoms in older women. Women aged 65 years or greater, had UI diagnosis for at least three months without any other pelvic floor disorders and were independent with mobility participated in this study. The women performed three hip exercises that primarily targeted the hip external rotator muscles three times a week.  Once a week, a licensed PT supervised exercise progression. After the baseline visit, supervision was provided by alternating between in-person and phone visits. Outcomes were measured at baseline and immediately after the completion of the intervention. Measures included hand-held dynamometer-measured hip strength, Timed Up and Go (TUG), 4-Stage Balance, and 30-second Chair to Stand (30SCST) tests. Paired t-tests were used to determine significant changes in measures. Significance was set at p.05

In this study, 28/35 women completed the entire 12-week program. No injuries were reported. At baseline, mean age was 70.3 years. Upon completion of the 12-week hip exercise program, participants demonstrated a significant improvement from baseline in hip flexion strength, (p 0.000), left single leg stance time (Z = -2.132, p = .033), TUG ([Z = -2.413, p = .016], and 30SCST (Z = -2.740, p = .006).  

A 12-week, PT-led progressive resistance hip strengthening program with elastic band improved hip strength, balance and mobility in older women with UI. This study also showed that increasing hip strength with elastic bands primarily at home with minimal supervision is safe and feasible. These preliminary findings warrant repeating this intervention in older women with UI using a more rigorous research design.

Implementation of progressive resistive hip muscle strengthening programs improved physical function and balance which could possibly reduce fall risk and accompanying injury in community dwelling older adult females with UI.