M P Foley1, B Prax, R Crowell, T Boone. 1. Department of Physical Therapy, College of St Scholastica, Duluth, MN 55811, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to quantify and compare cardiorespiratory demands imposed during unassisted ambulation and ambulation with various assistive devices in older adults. SUBJECTS: Ten volunteers (3 male, 7 female) who were not dependent on assistive devices for ambulation, with a mean age 60.3 years (SD = 8.4, range = 50-74), participated. METHODS: Immediately after a 5-minute steady-state session with each of the assistive devices tested (standard walker, wheeled walker, and single-point cane), subjects ambulated for 2 minutes at a self-selected speed with each device and unassisted while selected cardiorespiratory and metabolic variables were monitored. RESULTS: Ambulation with the use of a standard walker was shown to require 212% more oxygen per meter than unassisted ambulation and 104% more oxygen per meter than ambulation with a wheeled walker. Ambulation with a standard walker elicited 200% and 98% higher heart rate per meter as compared with unassisted ambulation and ambulation with a wheeled walker, respectively. No difference was detected for physiologic demands between unassisted ambulation and ambulation with a cane. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: The decision to prescribe a wheeled walker versus a standard walker may be clinically important with patients who have impaired cardiorespiratory systems.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to quantify and compare cardiorespiratory demands imposed during unassisted ambulation and ambulation with various assistive devices in older adults. SUBJECTS: Ten volunteers (3 male, 7 female) who were not dependent on assistive devices for ambulation, with a mean age 60.3 years (SD = 8.4, range = 50-74), participated. METHODS: Immediately after a 5-minute steady-state session with each of the assistive devices tested (standard walker, wheeled walker, and single-point cane), subjects ambulated for 2 minutes at a self-selected speed with each device and unassisted while selected cardiorespiratory and metabolic variables were monitored. RESULTS: Ambulation with the use of a standard walker was shown to require 212% more oxygen per meter than unassisted ambulation and 104% more oxygen per meter than ambulation with a wheeled walker. Ambulation with a standard walker elicited 200% and 98% higher heart rate per meter as compared with unassisted ambulation and ambulation with a wheeled walker, respectively. No difference was detected for physiologic demands between unassisted ambulation and ambulation with a cane. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: The decision to prescribe a wheeled walker versus a standard walker may be clinically important with patients who have impaired cardiorespiratory systems.
Authors: Kara B Bellenfant; Gracie L Robbins; Rebecca R Rogers; Thomas J Kopec; Christopher G Ballmann Journal: J Funct Morphol Kinesiol Date: 2021-02-09
Authors: Daniel A Andersen; Bernard A Roos; Damian C Stanziano; Natasha M Gonzalez; Joseph F Signorile Journal: Clin Interv Aging Date: 2007 Impact factor: 4.458