Benefits of an exercise class for elderly women following hip surgery.

A prospective cohort study of a twice weekly exercise programme for six months was undertaken to determine the benefits of an exercise class for 28 elderly women following hip surgery. The effects of the exercise programme were monitored using cycle ergometry. Walking speed was measured on entry and at 3, 6 and 12 months. Twenty-six subjects completed the programme with an overall attendance rate of 88%. Measures of fitness, calculated from cycle ergometry, did not improve significantly apart from test duration. In contrast there was a significant improvement in mean walking speed, with a 50% increase between 0 and 3 months and a further 21% increase between 3 and 6 months. This improvement was maintained at 12 months.