The Effect of a 6-Week Nine-Square Step Exercise Protocol on Gait Components in Older Women

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Given the growing elderly population and the importance of balance and gait in maintaining functional independence and preventing falls, this study aimed to investigate the effect of a 6-week nine-square step exercise protocol on gait components (step length, step width, step speed, and step rhythm) in older women. These components were selected due to their critical role in mobility and fall risk. Methods: Twenty-eight older women (aged 63 - 85 years) were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 14) or a control group (n = 14) using a random number generator. Inclusion criteria included independent walking, adequate vision/hearing, and no gait-affecting conditions; exclusion criteria included missing > 2 sessions or new physical issues. The experimental group underwent a supervised 6-week nine-square step exercise protocol (3 sessions/week, 60 minutes/session), while the control group continued daily activities. Gait components were assessed via a 6-meter walk test (5 repetitions), analyzed using Kinovea software. Data were evaluated with an independent t-test for baseline comparisons and a 2 × 2 repeated-measures ANOVA (P < 0.05). Results: The experimental group showed significant improvements in step length, step speed, and step rhythm, with significant group × time interactions. Step width showed a significant group effect (P = 0.027) but no significant time or interaction effects. Conclusions: The nine-square step exercise protocol effectively improves gait components in older women, supporting its use in fall prevention programs. Limitations include the short intervention duration and single-gender sample.