Effect of exercise on motor skill of walking among community-dwelling older adults: secondary outcomes of a randomized clinical trial

Background

Both standard impairment-based and motor learning exercise have improved walking speed. Less known is the impact of the interventions on the motor skill of walking. In older adults with walking problems, intervention effects of standard exercise with added components of motor learning exercise (standard plus) were compared to standard exercise alone on the motor skill of walking.

Methods

Community-dwelling older adults (≥65 years of age) were randomized to 12-week interventions, standard plus (n = 124) or standard exercise alone (n = 125). Motor skill of walking outcomes of oxygen cost of walking, gait variability, smoothness of walking and the walk ratio were recorded at 12 weeks, and in follow up at 24 and 36 weeks.

Results