Short treadmill training improves older adults’ mobility and trip recovery, study finds
A study of 30 older adults found better sit-to-stand, mobility and trip-recovery measures after eight perturbation-based balance training (PBT) treadmill sessions over four weeks. Slip-perturbation changes were not significant.
The International Journal of Exercise Science published the study on November 4, 2026.1 Thirty community-dwelling older adults completed eight perturbation-based balance training (PBT) sessions on a treadmill over four weeks.1
Scores on a 30-second sit-to-stand test improved, and participants finished an 8-foot up-and-go test faster after training.1 Participants also improved trip-perturbation levels, but changes in slip-perturbation levels were not statistically significant.1
Sessions added dual-task training: participants faced progressive slips and trips on a perturbation treadmill while doing a second task.1 For trainers, the findings suggest this short program may improve some mobility and trip-recovery measures, though the study included only 30 adults.1
