Effect of ambulatory mobility aid devices on cardiovascular parameters, walking speed, perceived exertion, and balance of older adult men in Enugu, Nigeria.

Introduction: Ambulatory mobility aids are several devices the elderly may use in order to improve their walking pattern, balance, or safety while mobilizing independently.

Objectives: To assess the effect of ambulatory mobility aid devices on cardiovascular parameters, walking speed, perceived exertion, and balance of older adult men.

Methods: A sample of 156 old men was studied. Data were obtained through measurement of the participants' walking speed (distance covered/second), cardiovascular parameters (blood pressure), perceived exertion (difficulty or ease in breathing), and balance (ease in standing) after walking with and without the selected walking aid devices. Analysis was done to compare the effect of the walking aid devices on the selected dependent variables.

Results: Results showed ambulation with mobility aid devices resulted in increase in the heart rate and blood pressure with the greatest increase observed when walking with Zimmer frame. Ambulation with mobility aid devices resulted in decrease of the walking speed of the participants when compared to ambulation without devices. Perceived exertion of participants after using Zimmer frame and walking cane was within 4.06 ± 1.35 and 3.98 ± 1.26, respectively, as opposed to 3.08 ± 0.73 after ambulation without aid. Use of Zimmer frame provided enough balance for participants.

Conclusion: Ambulatory mobility devices caused difference in cardiovascular parameters when compared to ambulation at rest and without aid. It was recommended that selection of ambulatory mobility aid devices should depend on objective mobility assessments and periodical re-evaluation to ensure that it suits a person's functional requirements and physical capabilities.