Ann Geriatr Med Res.  2017 Mar;21(1):17-23. 10.4235/agmr.2017.21.1.17.

Responsiveness of Gait Speed to Physical Exercise Interventions in At-risk Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

• Lim J
• Lim JY

• KMID: 2415667
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4235/agmr.2017.21.1.17

Abstract

BACKGROUND
In at-risk older adults, gait speed is an important factor associated with quality of life and falling risk. In this study, we assessed whether therapeutic exercise could improve gait speed.
METHODS
We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the "˜best' therapeutic exercise method by analyzing each exercise in terms of intensity, type, and several gait speed indices. For the analysis, we gathered 122 papers through a database search and selected 9 (n=627) that were appropriate for the meta-analysis.
RESULTS
In 8 of the 9 included papers, gait speed improved with therapeutic exercise. Usual gait speed (n=246) improved more than maximal gait speed (n=574). A resistance program was more effective than a nonresistance program for improving maximal, but not usual, gait speed. We also found that the effects of therapeutic exercise were greater in noncommunity than in community-dwelling elderly people.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, therapeutic exercise was effective in improving gait speed.

Keyword

Frail elderly; Gait; Exercise therapy; Resistance training; Meta-analysis

MeSH Terms

Accidental Falls
Adult*
Aged
Exercise Therapy
Exercise*
Frail Elderly
Gait*
Humans
Methods
Quality of Life
Resistance Training