Interactive Stepping Exercise on Executive Function and Gait Variability

Effects of Interactive Stepping Exercise on Executive Function and Gait Variability in Community-dwelling Older Adults

The present study is to examine the effects of interactive stepping exercise on executive function and gait variability in community-dwelling older adults

This is a single blinded, randomized controlled trial. 40 community-dwelling older adults will be recruited and randomly assigned to either experimental group (n=20) or control group (n=20). The 12-week intervention comprises of 1-hour exercise per day and 3 days per week. The experimental group will receive interactive stepping exercise while the control group will be put under home exercise program. Primary outcome measures are executive function and gait variability. Secondary outcome measures include community walking test and other gait parameters (gait velocity, stride length and stride time). The participants will receive assessment at pre- and post-intervention

Inclusion Criteria:

• community-dwelling older adults
• age ≥ 65 years old
• able to walk independently outdoor without an assistive device
• Mini-mental state examination ≥ 24
• use an exercise pre-participation health screening form by the American College of Sports Medicine to recruit those participants that are suitable to join the training session

Exclusion Criteria:

• diagnosed of any psychiatric and neurologic disorders such as schizophrenia, stroke, Parkinson, Alzheimer disease, etc.
• any comorbidity or disability that would preclude training