Institute of Sport Sciences, Department of Physiology, University of Lausanne, Switzerland.
Exp Gerontol. 2010 Jun;45(6):427-34. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2010.03.009. Epub 2010 Mar 18.
The aim of this study was to examine the effect of an individualized overground walking interval training on gait performance [i.e., speed and energy cost (C(w))] in healthy elderly individuals. Twenty-two older adults were assigned to either a training group (TG; n=12, 73.4+/-3.9yr) or a non-training control group (CG; n=10, 70.9+/-9.6yr). TG participated in a 7-week individualized walking interval training at intensities progressing from 50 to 100% of ventilatory threshold (T (VE)). Aerobic fitness [maximal oxygen uptake (V O(2max)) and T (VE)], preferred walking speed (PWS), gross and net C(w) (GC(w) and NC(w), respectively) and relative effort (%V O(2max)) at PWS measured before training (PWS(1)) were assessed prior and following the intervention. All outcomes were measured on a treadmill. Significant improvements in GC(w) (-8%; P=0.007), NC(w) (-12%; P=0.003), relative effort (%V O(2max): -12%; P<0.001) and PWS (+12%; P<0.001) were observed in TG but not in CG (P>0.71). V O(2max) and T (VE) remained unchanged in both groups (P>0.57). Changes in GC(w) at PWS(1) (difference between GC(w) at PWS(1) measured pre and post intervention) were inversely correlated with changes in PWS (difference between pre and post PWS; r=-0.67; P=0.02). The decreased C(w) at PWS(1), with no concomitant improvement in aerobic fitness, represents the main contributing factor for the reduction of the relative effort at this speed. This also allows elderly people to increase their PWS post training. Therefore, the present walking training may be an effective way to improve walking performance and delay mobility impairment in older adults.
本研究旨在探讨个体化地面行走间歇训练对健康老年人步态表现（即速度和能量消耗（C(w)））的影响。22 名老年人被分配到训练组（TG；n=12，73.4+/-3.9 岁）或非训练对照组（CG；n=10，70.9+/-9.6 岁）。TG 以从 50%到 100%的通气阈（T (VE)）递增的强度参加 7 周个体化行走间歇训练。在训练前（PWS(1)）测量有氧适能[最大摄氧量（V O(2max)）和 T (VE)]、首选行走速度（PWS）、总和净能量消耗（GC(w)和 NC(w)，分别）和 PWS 时的相对努力（%V O(2max)），然后在干预后进行评估。所有结果均在跑步机上测量。在 TG 中观察到 GC(w)（-8%；P=0.007）、NC(w)（-12%；P=0.003）、相对努力（%V O(2max)：-12%；P<0.001）和 PWS（+12%；P<0.001）的显著改善，但在 CG 中没有（P>0.71）。两组的 V O(2max)和 T (VE)均保持不变（P>0.57）。PWS(1)时 GC(w)的变化（PWS(1)时 GC(w)的测量值与干预前后的差值）与 PWS 的变化呈负相关（PWS 的变化，即干预前后的差值；r=-0.67；P=0.02）。PWS(1)时 C(w)的降低，而有氧适能没有相应的改善，是该速度下相对努力降低的主要原因。这也使得老年人在训练后能够提高他们的 PWS。因此，本研究中的行走训练可能是改善老年人行走表现和延缓运动障碍的有效方法。
