Several tools are available to assess mobility in the ambulatory setting .
Relatively few studies support therapeutic exercise to improve mobility limitation .
Strong evidence supports resistance and balance exercises for improving mobility-limiting physical weakness and balance disorders .
Addressing functional deficits and environmental barriers with exercise and mobility devices can lead to improved function , safety , and quality of life for patients with mobility limitations
IMPORTANCE Mobility limitations are common in older adults , affecting the physical , psychological , and social aspects of an older adult 's life .
OBJECTIVE To identify mobility risk factors , screening tools , medical management , need for physical therapy  , and efficacy of exercise interventions for older primary care patients with limited mobility .
Moderate exercise improves gait stability in disabled elders.
BACKGROUND Decreased muscle strength impedes elders ' functional performance in daily activities such as gait . The mechanisms whereby increased strength improves gait are unknown . METHODS A prospect i ve , blinded , r and omized trial of moderate intensity strength exercise was conducted and its impact was measured on functional mobility during gait in 132 functionally limited elders . Lower extremity strength was measured , including hip abductor , hip extensor , and knee extensor strength . Of the 132 subjects , 120 subjects ( mean age , 75.1 yrs ) completed 6 months of elastic b and resistance training at least 3 times a week or served as no-exercise controls . RESULTS Subjects increased their lower extremity strength in the exercise and control groups , by 17.6 % and 7.3 % ( p < .01 ) , respectively . Gait stability improved significantly more in the exercise group than in the control group ( p < .05 ) . Increases in forward gait velocity were not significantly different between groups . Peak mediolateral velocity and base of support improved in the exercise group , but not in the control group . Change in lower extremity strength correlated significantly but weakly with many of the gait variables . CONCLUSIONS Gait stability , especially mediolateral steadiness , improved in the exercise group but not in the control group . These results show that even moderate strength gains benefit gait performance in elders and thus provide a sound basis for encouraging low-intensity strength training for elders with functional limitations
Several tools are available to assess mobility in the ambulatory setting .
Relatively few studies support therapeutic exercise to improve mobility limitation .
Strong evidence supports resistance and balance exercises for improving mobility-limiting physical weakness and balance disorders .
Addressing functional deficits and environmental barriers with exercise and mobility devices can lead to improved function , safety , and quality of life for patients with mobility limitations
IMPORTANCE Mobility limitations are common in older adults , affecting the physical , psychological , and social aspects of an older adult 's life .
OBJECTIVE To identify mobility risk factors , screening tools , medical management , need for physical therapy  , and efficacy of exercise interventions for older primary care patients with limited mobility .