The effects of muscle strength and power training on mobility among older hip fracture patients

Abstract

The incidence of hip fractures is growing in all Western societies. The mobility of hip fracture patients does not return to the pre-fracture level even 2 years after fracture. One reason for mobility limitation may be the persistent muscle weakness on the fractured leg. The purpose of this randomized controlled study was to examine whether 12-week muscle strength and power training twice a week has an effect on mobility in 60–85-year-old hip fracture patients. Forty-three persons were randomly assigned to an intervention (n=23) and a control (n=20) group. The intervention comprised 12-week supervised intensive progressive strength–power training twice per week. All the measurers were blinded. Mobility was assessed by the timed-up-and-go test (TUG), chair rise and stair climbing time, walking time and self-reported change in mobility. Data were analyzed using the intention-to-treat principle. In addition, an efficacy analysis was performed for those subjects with over 50% training compliance (n=20). Fourteen of the subjects in the training group and only two controls felt that their mobility had improved during the intervention period (p=0.002). Training had no significant effect on TUG, chair rise and stair climbing time and walking time. However, in the efficacy analysis, the average chair rise time improved by 5.4% in the exercise group compared with controls (p=0.005). After intensive muscle strength and power training, the self-reported mobility improved. The chair rise improved in participants with higher training compliance.