Improving Mobility in Residential Aged Care

Improving Mobility in Residential Aged Care: Comparing the Benefits of Two Resistance Exercise Programs

This study aims to test which of three exercise programs, previously demonstrated valuable for residential aged care adults, has the greatest benefit for walking speed and the spatiotemporal parameters that define it. The programs to be included are:

1. The GrACE program and
2. The GrACE plus Gait specific training.

This study will employ a non-randomised controlled design in which three different 24-week exercise programs and a non-exercising control group will be compared in the residential aged care (RAC) setting. The three programs are the GrACE and the GrACE plus a gait specific training program.

Data Collection

~40 participants from two RAC facilities will be recruited into the study. This number of participants will provide 80% statistical power to identify moderate effect size between group differences on the primary outcome measures. The control group will be drawn from each of the RAC facility approached receiving exercise treatment. Participation will be informed by a discussion with the facilities Service Manager about the eligibility of participants and a medical history screen undertaken. All participants will provide informed written consent prior to participation.

Participants in the exercise group will perform twice weekly training for 24 weeks. Data will be collected at 0 weeks, 12 weeks and 24 weeks in the control and exercise groups.

Inclusion Criteria:

• aged over 65 years
• residing in a RAC facility
• able to walk with a walker and/or walking stick or can self-ambulate for the test (including those who have had knee and hip replacements)
• can provide informed consent (Self- or by proxy).

Exclusion Criteria:

• end-stage terminal and/or life expectancy <6-months (ethical reasons)
• two person transfer or unable to self-ambulate (increased falls risk)
• unable to communicate or follow instructions (personal needs beyond the scope of this project)
• dangerous behaviours (endanger the client or research staff).