BACKGROUND: Elderly with the locomotive syndrome is at high risk for fall and fractures. Thus multimodal therapy is needed to minimize the risk. OBJECTIVE: Analyzing the effect of combined locomotor training and aerobic exercise on muscle strength in elderly with locomotive syndrome stage 1. METHODS: This study used a pre-test and post-test design with 20 participants (treatment group = 10 participants and control group = 10 participants). The treatment group was given combined locomotor training and aerobic exercise, while the control group was only given aerobic exercise for eight weeks. Locomotor training was provided three times/week with progressive increase of set and repetition at each activity. Meanwhile, aerobic exercise was given seven times/week for 30 min per session. Participants were examined for muscle strength (handgrip strength) before and after the intervention. The analysis included paired t-test and an independent t-test with a p-value < 0.05. RESULTS: The participants' mean age was 73.85 +/- 4.75 years, with treatment group = 75.4 +/- 4.88 years and control group = 72.3 +/- 4.30 years (t = 1.508; 95% CI -1.220 to 7420; p = 0.149). The HGS values in the treatment group were 13.89 +/- 5.27 (pre-test) and 19.06 +/- 4.54 (post-test; t = 11.765; 95% CI -6.164 to -4.176; p < 0.001). Meanwhile, the HGS values in the control group at pre-test and post-test were 11.27 +/- 2.17 and 13.03 +/- 2.54, respectively (t = 2.057; 95% CI -1.600 to 0.076; p = 0.070). The DELTAHGS values of treatment and control group were 5.17 +/- 1.39 and 1.76 +/- 2.07, respectively (t = 4.329; 95% CI 1.755 to 5.065; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Combined locomotor training and aerobic exercise have increased muscle strength, as proven by increased handgrip strength.

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