The effects of a combined functional gait- and strength training on stability of walking and rate of bone turn over in healthy elderly.

Physical inactivity becomes more prominent as people age. Physical inactivity and ageing results in decreasing bone and muscle mass and decreased muscle functioning, which results in increasing difficulty in performing daily activities. Another problem with increasing age is the increased incidence of falls. Falls often lead to decreased functioning, reduced participation, early placement in nursing homes and premature death.

The aim of this study is to investigate if a 16 weeks training program with combined functional gait and strength training results in improved stability of walking and improved bone turnover.

1. The training program will result in improved stability of walking;

2. The training program will result in improved rate of bone turnover (indicative of improvement in bone mass).

1. Baseline;

2. Baseline + 16 weeks (post training);

3. Baseline + 24 weeks (follow up).

The intervention consists of 16 weeks of twice weekly combined gait- and strength training in groups of maximally 10 subjects. Each training sessions has a duration of 1 hour. The training will be executed in a gym under supervision of an instructor.

The training will consist of exercises that challenges balance during standing and walking (e.g. standing or walking on a compliant surface) and of exercises that improves muscle function of the lower extremities using body weight and, if possible, small external weights. The difficulty of the exercises will be adapted to individual capabilities.



The control group will not receive a training or other intervention during the trial. The control group will receive a delayed intervention after the final measurement.