Pedal Exerciser for Improving Muscle Strength in the Elderly

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Effectiveness of the pedal exerciser for improving muscle strength in the elderly - Randomised Controlled Feasibility Study

• IRAS ID

  172790

• Contact name

  Rakesh Kumar

• Contact email

  rakesh.kumar2@wales.nhs.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Liverpool

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 0 months, 1 days

• Research summary

  Falls are not an inevitable part of ageing. Taking the right steps at the right time can prevent falls and enable an older person to continue a physically active life. Research shows that therapeutic exercise is one of the most effective ways to maintain mobility and independence, and reduce balance problems in the elderly. Zak et al., (1) found that the pedal exerciser is an effective way of improving muscle strength in elderly following hip replacement, helping improve their walking speed. Research also shows that the pedal exerciser is effective in improving cardiovascular function (2).
  Many elderly are not confident exercising in the standing position due to fears of falling. As a consequence, they are often excluded from fall prevention exercise classes due to the fall risk involved, and this is especially the case if they also have cognitive impairment.
  The foot pedal exerciser is simple equipment, which can be used in the sitting position, without risk of falling, and can be used by individuals without guidance. Once they have regained their confidence, they can progress further to an intensive balance training programme.
  The proposed pedal exercise intervention will be compared with conventional falls prevention classes on Anglesey which will act as a control.
  The primary objective of this study is to assess if the foot pedal exerciser is an effective way to improve muscle strength in the elderly.
  Results from this feasibility study will inform power calculations for a larger follow-up randomised control trial, and will determine if the pedal exerciser can be as beneficial as exercising in the standing position.
  References
  1- Zak M, Skalska A, 2005. Walking speed in elderly patients undergoing rehabilitation after hip replacement, OrtopediaTraumatologia Rehabilitacja 7(5): 543-548
  2- Heydari M, Boutcher YN, Boutcher SH, 2013. The effects of high-intensity intermittent exercise training on cardiovascular response to mental and physical challenge, Int JPsychophysiol 87(2):141–146

• REC name

  Wales REC 5

• REC reference

  15/WA/0099

• Date of REC Opinion

  23 Mar 2015

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion