Article

Aged-related loss of afferent feedback of the feet plays an important
role in gait performance. Although strength, balance and gait training can
significantly improve the muscle power and functional abilities of older
individuals, it remains unclear whether training effects can be enhanced by
augmenting afferent feedback from the feet adding shoe insoles complementary to
conventional training.OBJECTIVE: The current study investigated the effect of
physical exercise combined with wearing MedReflex shoe insoles on the gait
performance and muscle power in older adults.METHODS: Twenty-eight independent
living, older adults aged 65-91 years were randomly assigned to either an insole
group (IG; n=14) or a training group (TG; n=14). Further 14 subjects matched to
the IG and TG were recruited as a control group (CG; n=14) (no exercise). The IG
and TG completed the same training program consisting of aerobic exercises,
progressive resistance strength training and stretching exercises twice per week
for 12 weeks, whereas, the IG wore the insoles during everyday life and during
training sessions. Assessments included the Falls Efficacy Scale - International
(FES-I), gait analysis and muscle power measurements of the knee and ankle joint
at pre- and post-training.RESULTS: There were significant time x group
interactions in walking speed, step length and in several muscle power
measurements. The positive effects of gait parameters ranged between 1% and 12%
and between 1% and 8% and the trend to improvements of muscle power ranged
between 15-79% and 20-79% for the IG and TG, respectively. The IG and TG did not
differ significantly in their improvements.
The CG showed a trend to
deteriorations between 0% and-5% for gait parameters and between-4% and-14% for
muscle power. No significant change in FES-I score occurred in neither groups.CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study provide evidence of significant
improvements in gait performance and muscle power after a conventional training
program in independent living, older adults. However, there is no additional
effect of long-term adaptation of gait caused by wearing insoles concurrent to physical training.

Langue : ANGLAIS