Program to improve mobility in aging (PRIMA) study: Methods and rationale of a task-oriented motor learning exercise program.

ABSTRACT: Walking difficulty is a common and costly problem in older adults. A potentially important yet unaddressed strategy to enhance walking ability through exercise intervention is to add a timing and coordination component in gait training (i.e. task specific timing and coordination exercise intervention) to the usual strength, endurance, and flexibility training. We describe the methods and rationale of a randomized single-blind, physical therapist supervised, exercise intervention trial to compare the effects of a standard strength, endurance, and flexibility program to a standard plus timing and coordination program in community-dwelling older adults walking slower than the desired gait speed of 1.2 m/s. Exercise sessions are twice weekly for 12 weeks. Participants are assessed at baseline,

SUBMITTER: Brach JS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6945812 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature