Effects of Unpredictable Perturbation Training on a Split-Belt Treadmill on Physical Performance in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: This clinical trial aimed to determine whether perturbation-based gait training (PBGT) on a split-belt treadmill enhances balance and muscle strength in older adults, comparing its effectiveness with walking-only training on a treadmill. <b>Methods<...

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Main Authors: Kap-Soo Han, Myoung-Hwan Ko
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Geriatrics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/10/1/23
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author Kap-Soo Han
Myoung-Hwan Ko
author_facet Kap-Soo Han
Myoung-Hwan Ko
author_sort Kap-Soo Han
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives</b>: This clinical trial aimed to determine whether perturbation-based gait training (PBGT) on a split-belt treadmill enhances balance and muscle strength in older adults, comparing its effectiveness with walking-only training on a treadmill. <b>Methods</b>: This single-center, prospective, single-blind (assessor), randomized controlled trial included 24 older adults from the Rehabilitation Center of Jeonbuk National University Hospital. Participants were equally divided into the PBGT and control groups. Both groups underwent 12 training sessions, three times a week for 4 weeks, for a total of 43 min per session. The outcomes, including the Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST), Falls Efficacy Scale International, timed up-and-go (TUG) test, functional reach test, and lower-extremity manual muscle test scores, were measured at three time points: pre-training, post-training, and four weeks after training. <b>Results</b>: While there were no significant differences between the two groups, the PBGT group demonstrated significant improvements in its FTSST and TUG values. <b>Conclusions</b>: Unpredictable perturbation training on a split-belt treadmill can be safely performed by older adults and may serve as an alternative exercise method to enhance physical performance and balance ability for fall prevention.
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spelling doaj-art-807fa017de844e7eb1918f6a3fefd44a2025-08-20T02:44:53ZengMDPI AGGeriatrics2308-34172025-02-011012310.3390/geriatrics10010023Effects of Unpredictable Perturbation Training on a Split-Belt Treadmill on Physical Performance in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled TrialKap-Soo Han0Myoung-Hwan Ko1Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Jeonbuk National University-Biomedical Research Institute of Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju 54907, Republic of KoreaResearch Institute of Clinical Medicine of Jeonbuk National University-Biomedical Research Institute of Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju 54907, Republic of Korea<b>Background/Objectives</b>: This clinical trial aimed to determine whether perturbation-based gait training (PBGT) on a split-belt treadmill enhances balance and muscle strength in older adults, comparing its effectiveness with walking-only training on a treadmill. <b>Methods</b>: This single-center, prospective, single-blind (assessor), randomized controlled trial included 24 older adults from the Rehabilitation Center of Jeonbuk National University Hospital. Participants were equally divided into the PBGT and control groups. Both groups underwent 12 training sessions, three times a week for 4 weeks, for a total of 43 min per session. The outcomes, including the Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST), Falls Efficacy Scale International, timed up-and-go (TUG) test, functional reach test, and lower-extremity manual muscle test scores, were measured at three time points: pre-training, post-training, and four weeks after training. <b>Results</b>: While there were no significant differences between the two groups, the PBGT group demonstrated significant improvements in its FTSST and TUG values. <b>Conclusions</b>: Unpredictable perturbation training on a split-belt treadmill can be safely performed by older adults and may serve as an alternative exercise method to enhance physical performance and balance ability for fall prevention.https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/10/1/23rehabilitationfallsunpredictable perturbationbalancetreadmill
spellingShingle Kap-Soo Han
Myoung-Hwan Ko
Effects of Unpredictable Perturbation Training on a Split-Belt Treadmill on Physical Performance in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Geriatrics
rehabilitation
falls
unpredictable perturbation
balance
treadmill
title Effects of Unpredictable Perturbation Training on a Split-Belt Treadmill on Physical Performance in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
title_full Effects of Unpredictable Perturbation Training on a Split-Belt Treadmill on Physical Performance in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
title_fullStr Effects of Unpredictable Perturbation Training on a Split-Belt Treadmill on Physical Performance in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
title_full_unstemmed Effects of Unpredictable Perturbation Training on a Split-Belt Treadmill on Physical Performance in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
title_short Effects of Unpredictable Perturbation Training on a Split-Belt Treadmill on Physical Performance in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
title_sort effects of unpredictable perturbation training on a split belt treadmill on physical performance in older adults a randomized controlled trial
topic rehabilitation
falls
unpredictable perturbation
balance
treadmill
url https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/10/1/23
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