Use the Back button in your browser to see the other results of your search or to select another record.

Detailed Search Results

Effects of lower extremity strength training on functional mobility in older adults
Brandon LJ, Boyette LW, Gaasch DA, Lloyd A
Journal of Aging and Physical Activity 2000 Jul;8(3):214-227
clinical trial
4/10 [Eligibility criteria: No; Random allocation: No; Concealed allocation: No; Baseline comparability: Yes; Blind subjects: No; Blind therapists: No; Blind assessors: No; Adequate follow-up: Yes; Intention-to-treat analysis: No; Between-group comparisons: Yes; Point estimates and variability: Yes. Note: Eligibility criteria item does not contribute to total score] *This score has been confirmed*

This study evaluated the effects of a 4-month lower extremity strength-training program on mobility in older adults. Eighty-five older adults (43 experimental, ES, and 42 comparison, CS) with a mean age of 72.3 years served as participants. The ES strength-trained plantar flexors (PF), knee flexors (KF), and knee extensors (KE) 1 hr/day, 3 days a week for 4 months. Both the ES and CS were evaluated for PF, KF, and KE strength (1RM) and the time required to complete floor rise, chair rise, 50-ft walk, and walking up and down stairs before and after the training intervention. The ES increased (p < 0.05) both absolute (51.9%) and relative strength (1RM/body weight, 52.4%) after training. Only chair-rise and floor-rise tasks predicted from 1RMs had low to moderate R values. These results suggest that strength is necessary for mobility, but increased strength above baseline provides only marginal improvement in mobility for reasonably fit older adults.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help