Effect of Combined Exercises on Gait and Physical Function in Sarcopenic Elderly Patients

Background: A gradual, widespread skeletal muscle disease called sarcopenia is typified by a decrease in muscular mass and strength. It is linked to more negative outcomes, such as falls, fractures, physical impairment, and death, especially in older people.
Objective: To determine the effect of combined exercises on gait and physical function in sarcopenic elderly patients.
Patient and Methods: A total 50 sarcopenic elderly women participated in this study their ages ranged from (65:75 years) were chosen from Agouza Police Hospital and outpatient clinic, they were referred by the physician. They were randomly assigned into 2 equal groups. Study Group (A): included 25 patients (Women) who received combined (Resisted, aerobic and balance exercise) for successive 12 weeks, 2 times per week, 55 minutes for each session. Control group (B): included 25 (Women) who received (Resisted exercise for successive 12 weeks, 2 times per week, 20 minutes for each session). The SARC-F questionnaire was used to assess the physical function of the patients in form of (strength, assistance, rise from a chair, climb stairs and falls), while the ability of the patients to modify gait in response to changing task demands was assessed by Dynamic gait index (DGI) before and after the intervention.
Results: Post 12weeks of intervention, the study group had a sig. lowering in SARC-F score by 1.96±1.2 points contrasted to the control group 3.32±0.98 points (P<0.05). The DGI was significantly increased by 20.9±1.8 points in the study group contrasted to 18.4±1.8 in the control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: In older adults with sarcopenia, the combined exercise had the upper hand in improving gait, balance, and physical function more than the resistance exercise alone.