Long-term exercise and its effect on balance in older, osteoarthritic adults: Results from the fitness, arthritis, and seniors trial (FAST)

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effects of 18-month aerobic walking and strength training programs on static postural stability among older adults with kne e osteoarthritis. DESIGN: Randomized, single-blind, clinical trial of therapeutic exercise. SETTING: Both center-based (university) and home-based. PARTICIPANTS: A cohort of: 103 older adults (age = 60 years) with knee oste oarthritis who were participants in a large (n = 439) clinical trial and wh o were randomly assigned to undergo biomechanical resting. INTERVENTION: An 18-month center- (3 months) and home-based (15 months) the rapeutic exercise program. The subjects were randomized to one of three tre atment arms: (1) aerobic walking; (2) health education control; or (3) weig ht training. MEASUREMENTS: Force platform static balance measures of average length (Rm) of the center of pressure (COP), average velocity (Vel) of the COP, ellipt ical area (Ae) of the COP, and balance time (T). Measures were made under f our conditions: eyes open, double- and single-leg stances and eyes closed, double- and single-leg stances. RESULTS: Tn the eyes closed, double-leg stance condition, both the aerobic and weight training groups demonstrated significantly better sway measures relative to the health education group. The aerobic group also demonstrated better balance in the eyes open, single-leg stance condition. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that long-term weight training and aerobic walking programs significantly improve postural sway in older, osteoarthri tic adults, thereby decreasing the likelihood of larger postural sway distu rbances relative to a control group.