Locomotion Training in a Care Prevention Program for Community-Dwelling Older Women in Japan: An Exploratory Pre-post Intervention Study

Introduction This study assessed changes in locomotive syndrome (LS) risk test scores following locomotion training (LT) in community-dwelling older Japanese women participating in a local government care prevention program and provided evidence for its effectiveness and dissemination. Materials and methods This interventional study employed a pre-post design and was conducted between September and December 2024. The participants were 14 women (mean age: 76.5 ± 4.5 years) who participated in a long-term care prevention program. A 76-day exercise intervention consisting of LT was implemented. LS was assessed pre- and post-intervention using the stand-up test, the two-step test, and the 25-item Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25). Results Three participants who were not classified as having LS pre-intervention remained in the non-LS category. Among the 11 participants who had LS pre-intervention, four individuals (36.4%) showed improvement in their LS stage, while seven (63.6%) remained in their LS stage. No participant experienced worsening of their LS stage. The GLFS-25 score improved significantly post-intervention [pre-intervention: median 6.5 (interquartile range: 3.0-14.3); post-intervention: median 4.5 (2.0-9.3); p = 0.011]. Conclusions As a program conducted within the limited time and resources of preventive care projects, LT may be suggested as an effective exercise intervention for improving musculoskeletal function in older individuals.