EFFECT OF RESISTANCE TRAINING ON GAIT TERMINATION IN OLDER ADULTS

Abstract

This study examined the effects of an eight-week high resistance-training program on gait termination as measured by ground reaction forces. Eighteen male and female subjects, randomly assigned to a control group (68.9 ± 5.8 yr.; 171.0 ± 10.1 cm; 68.6 ± 11.5 kg) and a training group (69.4 ± 7.6 yr; 167.6 ± 7.5 cm; 72.8 ± 12.9 kg), walked through an experimental area at a preferred pace and terminated gait upon receipt of a visual stimulus. Over the eight week training period, strength gains ranged from 25% to 49% across 11 different exercises. Selected ground reaction forces generated during the termination period measured before and after the eight weeks were also significant (p ≥ 0.05). In the anteroposterior direction, the training group made the transition through the gait termination at a faster rate than the control group, reaching maximum braking force and max propelling force at a time that was only 80% and 67% of the time taken by the control group, respectively. Braking impulses for the training group was consequently lower but maximum braking forces were not signficantly different. In the mediolateral direction, there was a significant interaction effect in the time to reach the maximum lateral force. The control group increased in the time (.205 to .460 s) and the training group decreased in time (.351 to .289 s). Both groups signficantly reduced the magnitude of the maximum lateral force generated in the stance phase of gait termination. Area of the center of pressure significantly increased in the control group over the eight weeks while the treatment group showed only a small increase. Results of this study provide a description of the kinetic parameters of gait termination and demonstrate some improved gait termination strategies in the group that participated in resistance training. Supported by Group Health Foundation