Responsiveness of Gait Speed to Physical Exercise Interventions in At-risk Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background : In at-risk older adults, gait speed is an important factor associated with quality of life and falling risk. In this study, we assessed whether therapeutic exercise could improve gait speed. Methods : We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the ‘best’ therapeutic exercise method by analyzing each exercise in terms of intensity, type, and several gait speed indices. For the analysis, we gathered 122 papers through a database search and selected 9 (n=627) that were appropriate for the meta-analysis. Results : In 8 of the 9 included papers, gait speed improved with therapeutic exercise. Usual gait speed (n=246) improved more than maximal gait speed (n=574). A resistance program was more effective than a nonresistance program for improving maximal, but not usual, gait speed. We also found that the effects of therapeutic exercise were greater in noncommunity than in community-dwelling elderly people. Conclusion : In conclusion, therapeutic exercise was effective in improving gait speed.