ABSTRACT. Eggermont LH, van Heuvelen MJ, van Keeken BL, Hollander AP, Scherder EJ. Walking with a rollator and the level of physical intensity in adults 75 years of age or older. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2006;87:733-6.Objective: To determine whether walking with a rollator by persons 75 years of age or older is of sufficient intensity to improve aerobic fitness.Design: A cross-sectional cohort study. Setting: University movement laboratory. Participants: Fifteen subjects 75 years of age or older (mean age, 83.7y) who could only walk by using a rollator.Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: During 6 minutes of self-paced treadmill walking using a rollator at a mean walking speed of 0.6m/s, oxygen uptake (V O 2 ), carbon dioxide production, and heart rate were determined. Respiratory exchange ratio (RER) and energy expenditure were calculated. The energy expenditure was expressed as the number of metabolic equivalents (METS), the percentage of estimated maximal V O 2 (V O 2 max), the percentage of estimated V O 2 max reserve, and the percentage of estimated maximal heart rate.Results T HERE IS INCREASING EVIDENCE of a positive relation between physical activity, physiologic parameters such as blood pressure, functional abilities, balance, flexibility, muscle strength, and cognitive functioning in older adults. [1][2][3][4][5][6] Cognitive functions are particularly vulnerable to aging 7 and are crucial for independent living. 8 Older adults with a decrease in physical activity caused by poor cardiorespiratory condition have experienced greater cognitive decline over a period of 6 years compared with older adults showing high cardiorespiratory fitness. 9 In healthy, sedentary older subjects, aerobic activities resulted in a significant improvement in the maximal oxygen uptake (V O 2 max) and to benefit executive functions such as inhibition and planning. 10 These studies, however, involved high-intensity physical activity such as running. 10 This type of physical activity is usually not appropriate for people of advanced age. 11 It is known that physical fitness (eg, muscle strength, balance) decreases with age. 12 Consequently, many of the oldest old (age Ͼ75y) can only stay mobile by the use of a walking aid 13 and are unable to run. In 1 study, 14 more than half of the 599 subjects aged 75 or over who were surveyed owned 1 or more walking devices. In sum, for frail older people, walking with a device like a rollator is a much more appropriate activity than activities such as running.In view of the effects of aerobic activity on for instance executive functions, it is important to know the exact amount of energy expended when walking with a rollator and does this constitute adequate aerobic activity. This has not been examined before. According to the guidelines of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), 15 activities with an intensity of 55% to 65% of maximal heart rate or 40% to 50% of V O 2 max reserve (V O 2 max minus resting V O 2 ) are appropriate to increase or maintain cardiorespirato...

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