Article

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a 10-week supervised hip flexor stretching
program in frail elderly subjects would increase peak hip extension, stride
length, and gait speed and reduce anterior pelvic tilt during comfortable and
fast-paced walking. DESIGN: A double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial.
SETTING: Pre- and post-treatment assessments were performed in a gait laboratory
and stretching exercises were performed outside of the laboratory, usually in the
subjects' place of residence. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-four frail elderly
individuals, with 41 subjects in the control group and 33 subjects in the
treatment group. INTERVENTION: The treatment group completed a 10-week
twice-daily hip flexor stretching program that was supervised twice weekly by a
rehabilitation clinician. The control group completed a 10-week shoulder abductor
stretching program. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Dynamic peak hip extension and
peak anterior pelvic tilt, stride length, and gait speed while walking at a
comfortable pace and a fast pace, as well as passive hip extension range of
motion. RESULTS: The treatment group showed significant increases in walking
speed and stride length after the intervention but showed no significant changes
in peak hip extension or anterior pelvic tilt during comfortable and fast-paced
walking. The treatment group also showed significantly increased passive hip
extension range of motion. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that a simple
stretching program is effective in improving some measures of age-related decline
in gait function in frail elderly patients. The lack of consistent improvements
in walking kinematics is attributed to the presence of multiple disabilities and
limitations present in the frail subjects.
CI - Copyright (c) 2011 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS