The effects of progressive resistance training on obstructed-gait tasks in community-living older adults

Abstract

This study examined the effects of improved strength on an obstacle course (OC) simulating gait tasks commonly encountered by community -living older adults. Forty-five adults (mean age 68.2 ± 1.5 years) were randomly assigned to a control (10 women, 5 men) or an experimental group (EXP; 19 women, 10 men) and trained 3 days/week for 12 weeks. Using a 1-repetition-maximum (1-RM) method, 6 leg-strength measures were evaluated pre- and posttest. The times to walk an OC of 4 gait tasks (stepping over and across an obstacle, negotiating a raised surface, and foot targeting) set at 3 progressively challenging levels were also assessed. Significant Group x Time interactions were found on all 1-RM t..