Effect of combined locomotor training and aerobic exercise on increasing handgrip strength in elderly with locomotive syndrome: A randomised controlled trial.

Background: Elderly with the locomotive syndrome is at high risk for fall and fractures. Thus multimodal therapy is needed to minimize the risk.

Objective: Analyzing the effect of combined locomotor training and aerobic exercise on muscle strength in elderly with locomotive syndrome stage 1.

Methods: This study used a pre-test and post-test design with 20 participants (treatment group = 10 participants and control group = 10 participants). The treatment group was given combined locomotor training and aerobic exercise, while the control group was only given aerobic exercise for eight weeks. Locomotor training was provided three times/week with progressive increase of set and repetition at each activity. Meanwhile, aerobic exercise was given seven times/week for 30 min per session. Participants were examined for muscle strength (handgrip strength) before and after the intervention. The analysis included paired -test and an independent -test with a -value <0.05.

Results: The participants' mean age was 73.85 ± 4.75 years, with treatment group = 75.4 ± 4.88 years and control group = 72.3 ± 4.30 years ( = 1.508; 95% CI = -1.220 - 7420;  = 0.149). The HGS values in the treatment group were 13.89 ± 5.27 (pre-test) and 19.06 ± 4.54 (post-test;  = 11.765; 95% CI = -6.164 to -4.176;  < 0.001). Meanwhile, the HGS values in the control group at pre-test and post-test were 11.27 ± 2.17 and 13.03 ± 2.54, respectively ( = 2.057; 95% CI = -1.600 - 0.076;  = 0.070). The ΔHGS values of treatment and control group were 5.17 ± 1.39 and 1.76 ± 2.07, respectively ( = 4.329; 95% CI = 1.755-5.065;  < 0.001).

Conclusion: Combined locomotor training and aerobic exercise have increased muscle strength, as proven by increased handgrip strength.