Training program intervention to encourage physical activity for health in people with transtibial amputation: A feasibility study

Background: People with transtibial amputation (PTTA) would benefit from increased physical activity levels (PAL) but generic programs developed to support increased PAL do not address the barriers which PTTA experience. Objective: To evaluate the effect of a 12-week training program, developed for PTTA, on their PAL. Methods: Ten PTTA participated in a 12-week training program, which involved one instructor-led supervised group session per week. The program incorporated balance, flexibility, cardiovascular endurance, strength, and agility, as well as educational elements. Personalized starting level and progression intensity were based on the instructor's assessment in the first training session. The effect of the intervention on PAL (self-report questionnaire and accelerometer), fitness, walking symmetry, and adverse effects was determined by analysis of variance before and after the intervention. Results: There was a significant increase in self-reported time in moderate-intensity activity and accelerometer-measured step count and time in movement after the program compared with baseline (p = 0.02). The distance walked in the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) (p < 0.001), time to perform agility test (p = 0.01), and lower-limb strength power (p = 0.01) and endurance (p = 0.01) were significantly greater after the program, and no adverse effects were identified. Conclusions: This study demonstrated an intervention designed specifically for PTTA that can increase PAL.