Improvement in Aerobic Fitness During Rehabilitation After Hip Fracture
Abstract
Mendelsohn ME, Overend TJ, Connelly DM, Petrella RJ. Improvement in aerobic fitness during rehabilitation after hip fracture.
Objective
To evaluate the effect of an upper-body exercise program on cardiorespiratory fitness in older adults with hip fracture during inpatient rehabilitation.
Design
Randomized controlled trial using a convenience sample.
Setting
An inpatient rehabilitation unit.
Participants
Twenty older patients (age, 81.3±7.2y; 14 women).
Intervention
Patients were randomly assigned to a control group (n=10) or a training group (n=10). Both groups attended physical and occupational therapy sessions 5 times a week during rehabilitation (mean length of stay, 32.9±5.3d). Patients in the training program used an arm crank ergometer 3 times a week for 4 weeks.
Main Outcome Measure
Peak oxygen consumption (Vo2peak).
Results
Vo2peak increased significantly in the training group (8.9±1.4 to 10.8±1.7mL·kg−1·min−1) and did not change in the control group (8.9±1.2 to 8.8±1.6mL·kg−1·min−1). At discharge, both groups were significantly improved in all functional outcome measures (Timed Up & Go [TUG] test, Berg Balance Scale [BBS], FIM instrument, two-minute walk test [2MWT], and ten-minute walk test [10MWT]). The training group performed significantly better in mobility (TUG, 2MWT, 10MWT) and balance (BBS) compared with the control group. There was a significant correlation between Vo2peak and the 2MWT (r=.81) and 10MWT (r=.85) in the training group at discharge.
Conclusions
The upper-body exercise program had a significant effect on aerobic power. Our results suggest that aerobic endurance exercise should be integrated into standard rehabilitation to enhance patients’ aerobic fitness and mobility after hip fracture surgery.
aSchool of Kinesiology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
bSchool of Physical Therapy, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
cSchulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
dLawson Health Research Institute, St. Joseph’s Health Care, London, ON, Canada.
Reprint requests to Tom J. Overend, PhD, PT, School of Physical Therapy, University of Western Ontario, Rm 1445, Elborn College, 1201 Western Rd, London, ON N6G 1H1, Canada
No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit upon the authors or upon any organization with which the authors are associated.
ABSTRACT