Impact Of A 24-week Exercise Intervention On Gait Performance In Obese African American Women

BACKGROUND: Gait can reflect a person's overall health and has long been recognized as a vital element of physical well-being, particularly for obese individuals with health concerns such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes. African American (AA) women are a demographic at increased risk for these health concerns, as well as for diminished gait performance. PURPOSE: This study investigates the impact a 24-wk supervised exercise program had on functional gait in Obese AA women. METHODS: Twenty- eight Obese (%Body Fat 43.4 ± 2.6%) AA women (Age 51.27 ± 12.73 y) participated in a tiered 24-wk fitness program. Gait assessments including the 6-minute walk (6MWD) distance in meters (m) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test in seconds (s) were conducted at baseline, 12-wks, and 24-wks. Participants self-selected into a supervised exercise group that met three times per week3x/week, either in the morning or afternoon, based on their availability. Each session included cardiovascular exercise, resistance training, and stretching routine for recovery. Significance of the 6MWD and the TUG time were determined using Repeated Measures ANOVA. RESULTS: The results indicate that the 24-week training program led to an improvement in gait function. Statistically significant increases in the 6MWD were seen from baseline (497.2 ± 48.9 m), 12 weeks (532.0 ± 75.9 m; p = 0.014) and 24 wks. (553.2 ± 76.6 m; p = 0.00). Additionally, a statistically significant decrease in the TUG speed was seen from baseline (9.46 ± 1.39 s) compared to 12-wks (8.69 ± 1.57 s; p = 0,039), and 24-wks (8.47 ± 1.08 s; p = 0.00). CONCLUSION: This demonstrates that participants who remained consistent with the program were able to improve their gait function through exercise training. This study provided valuable insights on enhancing gait patterns through regular exercise and increased mindfulness about overall health and physical condition. Supported by: Eastern Virginia Medical School Internal Grant Funding for Health Disparities Research