Development of a Power Training Program to Improve Mobility in Older Veterans

Adherence will be measured as a proportion of the number of sessions attended out of the number prescribed per protocol.

Retention will be tracked as part of feasibility and to inform a future trial. Retention will be measured as the proportion of Veterans who complete all outcome measure timepoints out of the total who complete baseline measures.

Feasibility will be measured through a validated survey: Feasibility of Intervention Measure which consists of 4 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from (1) completely disagree to (5) complete agree. Higher scores indicate greater feasibility of the program. Measure will only be collected in the intervention group.

Acceptability will be measured through a validated survey: Theoretical Framework of Acceptability Measure which consists of 8 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from (1) did not like, high burden to (5) strongly liked, low burden. Higher scores indicate greater acceptability of the program. Measure will only be collected in the intervention group.

Leg power will be evaluated using previously validated methods in older adults at 40% and 70% of the Veterans 1-repetition maximum over 5 repetitions. Scores are continuous, higher scores indicate greater leg power (better outcome).

Power in Watts will be measured using a valid and reliable test which calculates power from time, body weight and stair height when participants climb 4 steps as fast as possible. Scores are continuous, higher scores indicate greater leg power (better outcome).

This is a functional test of mobility. Participants will be timed while walking at self-selected and fast speeds for 10 meters. Gait speed in meters per second will calculated for self-selected and fast gait speeds. Scores are continuous, higher scores indicate greater greater gait speed and mobility (better outcome).

Participants will complete this valid and reliable self-report measure of physical function (32 items) and disability (16 items). Raw summary scores are transferred to scaled summary scores on a 0-100 scale with higher scores indicated greater function and greater participation in life tasks.

This is a functional test of leg strength and power. Participants are asked to stand up and sit down as many times as they can in 30 seconds from a standard height chair. Scores are continuous, higher scores indicate greater leg strength and power (better outcome).

This is a functional performance test for upper body strength and is performed on each arm (one arm at a time). It requires the participant to perform as many arm curls (bicep curls) as possible in 30 seconds. Males use an 8lb weight and females use a 5 lb weight. Scores are continuous, and higher scores indicate greater arm strength (better outcome).

This is a functional test of aerobic capacity. Participants walk as far as they can along a preset track in 6 minutes. Score is the maximal distance walked in 6 minutes, measured in meters. Scores are continuous, and higher scores indicate greater aerobic capacity (better outcome).

This is a test of lower body muscle strength. Participants will perform a 1-repetition maximum leg press test where they press the heaviest load they can 1 time through their full range of motion with good form. The test is scored in pounds. Scores are continuous, and higher scores indicate greater leg strength (better outcome).