A group exercise program that focuses on the timing and coordination of movement to aid walking was more effective at improving mobility among older adults than a usual-care exercise program, a recent study found. The cluster-randomized, single-blind intervention trial included 298 participants aged ≥65 years from 32 independent living facilities, senior apartment buildings, and senior community centers who were randomized to On the Move (16 sites, n=152 participants) or usual care (16 sites; n=146 participants). Exercise classes were 50 minutes, twice a week for 12 weeks and had 10 or fewer participants per class. Participants (mean age 80 years) were mostly female (84%) and white (84%) and had a mean of 2.8 chronic conditions. Researchers found:

• Despite lower attendance, participants in the On the Move group had greater improvements in mobility than those in the usual-care group.
• Those in the On the Move group had greater mean improvements than the usual-care group in gait speed and 6-minute walk distance.