Improve Walking Endurance Research Articles

Effect of three exercise programs on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

We compared the effect of three different exercise programs on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease including strength training at 50_80% of one-repetition maximum (1-RM) (ST; N = 11), low-intensity general training (LGT; N = 13), or combined training groups (CT; N = 11). Body composition, muscle strength, treadmill endurance test (TEnd), 6-min walk test (6MWT), Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), and baseline dyspnea (BDI) were assessed prior to and after the training programs (12 weeks). The training modalities showed similar improvements (P > 0.05) in SGRQ-total (ST = 13 +/- 14%; CT = 12 +/- 14%; LGT = 11 +/- 10%), BDI (ST = 1.8 +/- 4; CT = 1.8 +/- 3; LGT = 1 +/- 2), 6MWT (ST = 43 +/- 51 m; CT = 48 +/- 50 m; LGT = 31 +/- 75 m), and TEnd (ST = 11 +/- 20 min; CT = 11 +/- 11 min; LGT = 7 +/- 5 min). In the ST and CT groups, an additional improvement in 1-RM values was shown (P < 0.05) compared to the LGT group (ST = 10 +/- 6 to 57 +/- 36 kg; CT = 6 +/- 2 to 38 +/- 16 kg; LGT = 1 +/- 2 to 16 +/- 12 kg). The addition of strength training to our current training program increased muscle strength; however, it produced no additional improvement in walking endurance, dyspnea or quality of life. A simple combined training program provides benefits without increasing the duration of the training sessions.

BODY WEIGHT SUPPORT TREADMILL TRAINING IN COMMUNITY REHABILITATION PROGRAM IMPROVES WALKING IN SEVERELY DISABLED STROKE

Purpose/Hypothesis: Although Body Weight Support Treadmill Training (BWSTT) has been shown to improve walking velocity, balance and functional status in stroke patients treated in research settings, there are few reports of outcomes for stroke patients treated with BWSTT in a community based outpatient rehab program. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the use of BWSTT in an outpatient rehab program is an effective means of improving patients' functional mobility. Number of Subjects: Twenty-seven (27) stroke patients (22 ischemic, 5 hemorrhagic), with a mean age of 59 (range 21–90), who participated in an outpatient rehab program between 2/02 and 12/04 were selected for this study. Selection was based solely on their diagnosis and their inability to ambulate independently on a treadmill. Four (4) patients were excluded from analysis because of incomplete outcome measurements. Of the remaining twenty-three subjects, baseline modified Rankin scale score was 4 for twenty-two patients and 3 for one patient. Materials/Methods: Participants received BWSTT 1 to 3 times per week, for an average of 12 weeks (range 2–30). The Six Minute Walk Test (SMWT), the Timed Up and Go (TUG) and the Timed Sit to Stand Test (TSST) were administered prior to the start and upon discontinuation of treatment. Results: All patients improved on the SMWT, 20/23 improved on the TUG, and 22/23 improved on the TSST. The average pre-treatment distance walked for the SMWT was 440 feet (range 40–1035), the average post-treatment distance walked was 801 feet (range 70–1500), and the average improvement was 132% (range 3% to 850%). The average initial time on the TUG was 34 seconds (range 8–182), the average post-treatment time was 18 seconds (range 8–111), and the average improvement was 42% (range −15% to 127%). The average initial time to complete the TSST was 33 seconds (range 13–88), the average post-treatment time was 18 seconds (range 9–31), and the average improvement was 38% (range −29% to 85%). Fifteen (15) of the 23 patients achieved independent or supervised ambulation on the treadmill without body weight support. Conclusions: Stroke patients with severe neurologic deficits treated with BWSTT in a community-based rehab program achieved improved walking endurance, balance and functional lower extremity strength by demonstrating improved scores on the tests administered. Clinical Relevance: With greater limitations to outpatient physical therapy, BWSTT is a effective and efficient way to assist stroke patients with a return to safe and independent functional mobility even for those with significant neurologic deficits. The achievement of independent ambulation on a treadmill allows patients to participate in community cardiovascular exercise programs. Ongoing treadmill walking, once patients are discharged from therapy, may further improve their gait pattern, speed and independence.

A systematic review on the effects of exercise programmes designed to improve strength for people with Down syndrome

Muscle weakness is common among people with Down syndrome and can contribute to their disability. The literature was systematically reviewed to assess whether programmes designed to increase strength had beneficial outcomes in this group. Electronic databases were searched for relevant articles. Of 304 papers identified, only 3 met the inclusion criteria. Two studies reported increases in strength after progressive resistance strength training with effect sizes ranging from d = 3.08 (95%CI, 2.16–4.00) to d = 7.52 (95%CI, 6.46–8.58). Circuit strength training also had large positive effect sizes ranging from d = 1.94 (95%CI, 1.02–2.86) to d = 5.06 (95%CI, 4.14–5.98). A 25-week treadmill walking programme produced increased lower limb strength with effect sizes of d = 2.68 (95%CI, 1.62–3.73) to d = 11.20 (95%CI, 10.48–11.92). One study reported improvements in walking endurance, speed and distance, as well as improved speed on the timed up-and-go test, but no study examined the effects of these programmes on participation restrictions. No negative effects from training were reported.

HOME-BASED EXERCISE TRAINING IMPROVES WALKING ENDURANCE IN CHRONIC STROKE PATIENTS

PURPOSE This pilot study evaluated the effectiveness of two approaches of home-based exercise for improving walking endurance, gait velocity and physical fitness in chronic stroke patients. METHODS Nine chronic hemiparetic stroke patients (57 ± 11 y; 46 ± 16 d post-stroke) were randomly allocated to either AEROBIC (n=5) or STRENGTH (n=4) training, each comprising 30 exercise sessions conducted in their homes over an 8–10 week period. AEROBIC involved 30-min of isokinetic cycling at 50% VO2peak (during the initial 4 weeks) progressing to 70–75% VO2peak. Task-related STRENGTH training comprised 3-sets of 10–40 repetitions of box-stepping onto blocks of 5–30 cm height. Walking endurance was assessed, using a 6-min walk test, during a non-intervention baseline period, before training (PRE) and within 2 weeks (POST) of completion. Gait velocity, peak cardiorespiratory fitness, isometric leg muscle strength (1 RM knee-extension on impaired and non-impaired legs) and stepping ability were assessed PRE and POST training. RESULTS Exercise training increased 6-min walk distance at POST by 30.1m in all subjects, and in each group separately. However, only AEROBIC significantly increased their 6-min distance at POST (by 12%). Following exercise training, the average self-selected gait velocity increased from 0.79 to 0.93 m•s−1. Changes in peak cardiorespiratory fitness were significantly greater for AEROBIC (20% improvement) compared to STRENGTH (1% change), whereas maximal isometric leg strength was only significantly greater for STRENGTH subjects (12% increase). CONCLUSION Exercise training proved effective for increasing the capacity for community ambulation in chronic hemiparetic stroke patients by significantly increasing both walking endurance and gait velocity, and by reducing impairments in physical fitness. The results of this study suggest isokinetic aerobic cycle training was a more effective approach than task-related strength training for improving walking endurance in chronic stroke patients.

Weight Training Improves Walking Endurance in Healthy Elderly Persons

Weight Training Improves Walking Endurance in Healthy Elderly Persons