본 연구는 여성노인을 대상으로 라인댄스와 저항성운동을 적용한 복합운동프로그램이 신체수행능력, 골밀도 및 부갑상선호르몬에 미치는 영향을 구명하기 위하여, 만65세~75세 여성노인을 대상으로 운동군 11명, 대조군 11명으로 분류하여 회당 60분씩 주 2회 라인댄스, 1회 저항성운동을 12주간 실시하였다. 운동 수행강도는 운동자각도(RPE)를 이용하여 ‘가볍다’에서 ‘약간 힘들다’ 정도인 11~14 사이를 유지 하였다. 라인댄스와 저항성운동 전·후에 측정한 자료의 그룹 내 차이 비교를 위해 대응표본 T검정, 그룹 간차이는 운동 전·후의 변화량을 산출하여 독립표본 T검정을 실시하였고, 측정변인들에 대한 그룹 및 시기간 상호작용을 검증하기 위해 이원배치 반복측정 분산분석으로 하였으며, 각 항목별 통계적 유의수준은 .05로 설정하였다. 그 결과, 운동군이 신체수행능력 중 균형(p<.05), 보행속도(p<.01), 의자에서 일어서기(p<.001), SPPB 종합점수(p<.001)가 증가하였으며, 골밀도는 요추(L2~L4)골밀도에서 운동군이 유의하게 증가하였고(p<.05), T-score점수는 운동군이 유의한 증가를 보였으나(p<.01), 대조군은 유의한 차이가 나타나지 않았다. PTH수준은 운동군이 유의하게 감소하였고(p<.05), 대조군은 유의한 차이가 나타나지 않았 다. 이상의 결과 규칙적이고 지속적인 신체활동은 여성노인의 신체수행능력, 골밀도 및 부갑상선 호르몬의 변화에 긍정적인 영향을 미친 것으로 사료된다.

본 연구는 대사증후군을 가진 65세 이상 노인여성을 대상으로 마루운동을 실시하여 노인활동체력, 혈중지질 및 동맥경직도에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 대사증후군을 가진 여성노인 41명을 무작위로 운동군(23명), 통제군(18명)으로 배정하였다. 운동군은 총 12주간 주 3회로 실시하였으며, 운동강도는 30%-60%의 HRR로 점진적으로 증가시켰다. 본 연구결과, 운동군이 노인활동체력(하지근력, 상지근력, 유연성, 심폐지구력 및 신체조성(체지방률, 제지방량, 허리둘레)), 혈중지질(총 콜레스테롤, 중성지방, HDL 콜레스테롤 및 LDL 콜레스테롤) 및 동맥경 직도에서 실험 전·후 긍정적인 변화를 보였고, 통제군에 비해 유의한 차이를 나타냈다. 결과적으로 대사증후군을 가진 여성노인들은 마루운동 프로그램 참여에 따라 노인활동체력이 향상되고, 혈중지질과 동맥경직도에 긍정적인 변화가 일어났다. 따라서, 마루운동프로그램은 대사증후군 개선에 효과적인 프로그램임을 시사한다.

The aim of this study was to investigate kinematic mechanism of gait different road conditions(dry vs. oil) in order women. For this study, twenty older women and ten young women participated in this research. twelve infrared cameras were used to collect data. It appeared that the gait strategies of older women were slower velocity and higher CoM than young women. Depending on road conditions, gait velocities of dominant muscle older women on dry surface were faster than dominant sense older women, but those of them were inverse on oil surface. The slip displacement of dominant muscle older women was less than young women, but the slip displacement of dominant sense older women was greater than young women. In case of blind during stance phase on oil surface, the rotational motion of the ankle and knee joints were increased. In conclusion, older women were subjected to self-organization theory and phase shift in dynamic theory.

In this paper, we present a serious game that can prevent elderly people from brain illness using natural finger interaction and Fumanet exercise. As population of elderly people has continually grown in our society, brain illness like dementia can be naturally observed, which makes treatment cost up rapidly. Hence, we propose Leap-Motion based serious game for elderly people, which uses natural finger motions to interact with game contents. In our approach, we enhance finger motion recognition rate by adding auxiliary conditions that is superior to ordinary Leap-Motion APIs. Finally, we have also carried out user study and quantitative analysis to verify our methods.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of bridging stabilization exercise on balance ability and gait performance in elderly women. The subjects of this study were thirty-one elderly women over 65 years old in HongSung-Gun Senior Citizen Welfare Hall. The subjects were randomly assigned into one of three groups (trunk stabilization exercise on the mat, whole body vibration, and Swiss ball) and participated in each exercise program three times a week for 4 weeks. Each exercise began in the bridging position. The dynamic balance and gait were measured by limit of stability area using force plate, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG). The results were as follows: 1) The limit of stability in three groups increased significantly in anterior-posterior and medial-lateral lean after 4-weeks intervention (p<.05). 2) There were no significant differences in the limit of stability among three groups after 4-weeks intervention (p>.05). 3) The BBS and TUG in three groups increased significantly after 4-weeks intervention (p<.05). 4) There were significant differences among three groups in BBS. Post-hoc test showed that Swiss ball exercise group was significantly higher than the mat and whole body vibration groups. 5) There were no significant differences TUG among three groups after 4-weeks intervention (p>.05). In conclusion, this study suggested that 4 weeks of the bridging stabilization exercises were effective on balance and gait in all three groups. Particularly Swiss ball exercise group showed higher improvement than two other exercise groups (mat, whole body vibration group).

The aim of the study was to identify which fall-prevention program offered in community settings in Korea is the most effective in strengthening muscles. Muscle weakness is one of the major risk factors causing falls among the elderly. Randomized controlled trials and clinical controlled trials published between 1996 and February 2011 were included in this study. Seventeen of the 69 identified studies met the study's criteria and were included in this meta-analysis. The overall effect size of the program was .822 (95% confidence interval= .717~.927). The general strengthening exercise (1.608), dance sports training (1.538), Thera-band exercise for lower extremities (1.517), Seniorobic exercise (1.146), gait training (.959), balance training (.909), gradual resistive exercise (.888), and multifactorial fall prevention (.842) programs all show positive effects on muscle strengthening. Subgroup analyses found that more relative effects are seen in programs offered to the more elderly. In this study, the effect of increasing muscle strength on the prevention of falls can only be indirectly suggested; there are few available studies that report the frequency or history of falls in Korea. Further studies are needed to examine the direct effect of fall prevention exercise programs among the elderly.

This study was to investigate the positive effects of specially designed trunk-stabilization exercise program on lower extremity balance of elderly with history of leprosy. In this participants, lower extremity functions has been undermined by the development of damage in peripheral nerves. A total of 40 elderly with history of leprosy were divided into 2 groups of equal size (): a group that participated in the exercise program, and a control group that did not exercise but did continue to engage in normal daily activities (including walking). The exercise group exercised for 60 minutes 2 days a week for 12 weeks. Static balance ability was measured by asking study participants to a one leg standing test: dynamic balancing ability was measured with a tandem walking test and a timed up-and-go test. The participants in the exercise program and the control group were tested before and after completion of the exercise program for comparison, and then divided according to their ability to feel sensory in the soles of their feet into the categories of normal sensory group: group with sensory loss in one foot: and group with sensory loss in both feet. The participants in the exercise program showed a positive, statistically significant difference in static balance compared with the control group (p<.05) as measured using the one leg standing test. Similarly, the participants in dynamic balance (p<.05) as measured using the tandem walking and timed up-and-go tests. Finally, these improvements were related to the severity of sensory loss in the soles of the feet for all study participants.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of improvement in the balance control ability of the elderly affected by Hansen's disease. We tried to compare the effects for the elderly affected by Hansen's disease with and without foot deformity. The subjects consisted of 19 patients 65 years old and older. They participated in a balance training program twice per week for 8 weeks. The following results were obtained from the training program: 1. There were significant improvements in static balance ability in one leg standing (OLS), dynamic balance ability in tandem walk (TW) and four square step (FSS) (p<.05). 2. There was a significant difference between patients with and without single-foot deformity in TW before the program (p<.05). After training, however, the difference became less significant. Also, there was not much difference between recipients with and without single-foot deformity in terms of OLS and FSS. The results of this study suggest that we need to provide training programs and rehabilitation services for the elderly affected by Hansen's disease suffering from nerve injury and disability. Furthermore, further research efforts should be made concerning rehabilitation to overcome various forms of disability.

목적 : 본 연구의 목적은 인지활동을 병행한 운동훈련이 치매노인의 균형수행능력에 미치는 영향을 알아보는 것이다. 연구방법 : 본 연구에서는 인지활동 중재로 회상활동과 미술활동을 사용하였다. 연구대상자는 60명의 치매환자이다. 회상활동과 운동치료를 병행한 집단(N=20), 미술활동과 운동치료를 병행한 집단(N=20) 그리고 운동치료만 실시한 집단(N=20)으로 총 3개의 집단으로 나누었다. 연구는 2008년 9월 22일부터 3개월간 이루어졌고 평가도구로는 한국판간이정신상태검사(Mini-Mental Status Exam-Korean: MMSE-K)와 버그균형척도(Berg Balance Scale: BBS)이 사용되었다. 결과 : 본 연구의 결과는 다음과 같다. 3개월 후 MMSE-K와 BBS 총점은 실험 전 후 유의한 증가가 있었다(p<.05). 그리고 인지활동이 적용된 두 집단은 운동치료만 실시한 집단보다 균형수행능력의 유의한 증가가 있었다. 또한 운동치료만 실시한 집단도 인지능력의 향상이 있었다. 회상활동과 운동치료를 병행한 집단의 MMSE-K와 BBS점수는 다른 집단들에 비해 가장 높은 증가를 보여주었다. 결론 : 이 결과를 통해 인지활동을 병행한 운동치료는 균형능력이 감소된 치매노인환자의 균형수행능력을 증진시키기 위해 사용될 수 있다.

This study was designed to examine a 3-week modified constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) to the less-affected arm of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) would improve function of the more-affected arm in PD. The subjects were 6 institutional older adults with PD and clients of the social welfare facilities. The subjects (2 men, 4 women) ranged in age from 66 to 90 years (mean age 77.2 yrs). Three clinical tests were used to determine the improvement of functional activity between before and after modified CIMT. The tests included Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), and Action Research Arm Test (ARAT). There were significantly differences after the modified CIMT for time performance in WMFT and pinch in ARAT (p<.05), No significant difference was noted after the modified CIMT for UPDRS and functional ability scale in WMFT. Therefore, the modified CIMT might improve time performance and is available to therapeutic program helping them improve functional ability for upper extremity in Parkinson's disease.

The range of motion (ROM) of ankle dorsiflexion in older women was associated with gait abnormalities and the risk of falls. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of self-stretching exercise on the flexibility of the plantar flexors of the ankle and the characteristics of gait in healthy elderly women. Fifteen participants were assigned randomly into an exercise (n=8) or control (n=7) group. The exercise group attended a self-stretching program approximately 30 minutes for 3 days per week for 4 weeks. The active ankle dorsiflexion ROM and gait measurements were taken prior to beginning the stretching program and 1 day after the last stretching day. Results showed that the active ankle dorsiflexion ROM was significantly increased in the exercise group than in the control group after the stretching program (p<.05). However, gait parameters, including gait speed, cadence, and stride length were not significantly different between the two groups (p>.05). The results suggest that a 4-week self-stretching program is capable of provoking a significant increase in ankle dorsiflexion ROM in elderly, community-dwelling women. Additional research is needed to investigate the effect of gait-specific exercise combined with stretching exercise on gait ability.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of self-paced walking exercises in elderly women with hypertension, hyperglycemia, and hypercholesterolemia. Thirty-eight elderly women with hypertension, hyperglycemia, and hypercholesterolemia (16 hypertension, 11 hyperglycemia, 11 hypercholesterolemia), aged between 65 and 80, were invited to participate in this study. Each subject participated in a self-paced walking exercise five times a week for twelve weeks from 26 June to 16 September 2006. The changes between pre- and post-exercise were analyzed using the analysis of a paired t-test with the SPSS version 12.0 package program. There were significant decreases in systolic blood pressure (p<.01) and diastolic blood pressure (p<.05), blood glucose(p<.05), and cholesterol in the blood (p<.01). These results show that self-paced walking exercises may be helpful in treating elderly women with hypertension, hyperglycemia, and hypercholesterolemia.

Reductions in strength and range of motion in older persons have been associated with decreased functional mobility and risk of falls. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of intensive dynamic balance exercise (DBE) during 8 weeks on onset time of medial gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscle contraction after perturbation in older women. Thirty subjects were randomly assigned into DBE group or control group. The DBE group participated in 50 minutes 3 days a week for 8 weeks. Surface electromyography (EMG) activity was recorded from the medial gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles of left side. Outcome data were collected both groups at the pre-exercise and post-exercise. Independent t-test and paired t-test were used to determine the statistical difference. Results showed that the passive range of motion and functional reach test were significantly increased in the DBE group than the control group at the post-exercise (p<.05). The onset time of both muscles and discrepancy of onset time significantly reduced in the DBE group than the control group at the post-exercise (p<.05). The onset time of both muscles were significantly reduced in the post-exercise than the pre-exercise in the DBE group (p<.05). The discrepancy of onset time in the DBE group was significantly reduced in the post-exercise than the pre-exercise (p<.05). These findings suggest that intensive dynamic balance exercise for the eight weeks was effective in improving the postural control with older persons.

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of group therapeutic exercise programs on the cognitive function, Activities of Daily Living (ADL), and balance-performing ability in older adults. Fifteen community-dwelling subjects (mean age 73.7 yrs, standard deviation 2.4) participated in this study. An 8-week group therapeutic exercise program, including strengthening and balance training, breathing and gait exercise, and recreation, consisted of activities related to daily living. The Mini-Mental State Examination-Korean (MMSE-K), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Functional Reaching Test (FRT), and Timed Up & Go (TUG) test were measured during pre-exercise and post-exercise points. The results of this study were as follows: 1. After eight weeks, the MMSE-K and MBI total score was more significantly increased for post-exercise tests than pre-exercise tests (respectively, p<.05, p<.01). 2. Of the MBI contents, personal hygiene, dressing, ambulation, and chair/bed transfers scores were significant increased for post-exercise tests. 3. Post exercise BBS, FRT, and TUG scores were higher than the pre-exercise scores. The difference was statistically significant (respectively, p<.05, p<.05, p<.01). These findings suggest that group therapeutic exercise can be used to improve the cognitive function, ADL, and balance-performing ability in elderly persons.

The use of a gym ball is becoming more popular for dynamic balance exercises. However, little is known about the effects of the dynamic ball exercises in the elderly. The purpose of this study was to compare balance and functional mobility after dynamic balance exercises using a gym ball to reduce the risk factorfor falls. All of the 15 subjects were women between the ages of 68 and 91 (mean age=79.9 yrs, SD=5.87) at anursing home in Wonju. Seven of fifteen subjects were placed in the experimental group and the others in the control group. Three clinical tests were used to determine the degree of balance and functional mobility before beginning the exercise program, after 4 weeks of gym ball exercise, and after 8 weeks of gym ball exercise. These three tests included Timed Up & Go (TUG), Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Dynamic ball exercises training for 8 weeks (5 days per week) included side stretching, prone walking, bridging, marching and opposite arm and leg lifting. There were significant differences found before the gym ball exercise program began and after 4 weeks and then 8 weeks in the experimental group (p<.05). Significant differences between the groups were shown for TUG and BBS (p<.05). No significant difference was noted between the groups for FIM. Therefore, gym ball exercises can improve dynamic balance and may be recommended to include in a therapeutic program to help the elderly reduce their risk of a fall.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of visual block (eyes open or closed), mental task type, and participation in an exercise program on static balance in the elderly. The subjects were 34 elderly (>65 years old) residents of a social welfare institute in Gyeonggi-do. We measured the following variables. Berg balance scale, mini mental state examination, balance performance monitor (sway area, path, and maximal sway velocity), age, weight, height and whether the subject participated in an exercise program. Scores for the Berg balance scale and mini mental state examination were evaluated to assess static balance ability either alone (single task paradigm) or while performing a mental task (dual task paradigm). Static balance variables that were measured included sway area, path, and maximal sway velocity. Each test was repeated three times. Multiple regressions analysis was used to examine the effect of each variable on static balance ability. For the dual task paradigm, static balance was affected by whether the subject participated in an exercise program. The Berg balance scale score for subjects with their eyes open was affected by whether they participated in an exercise program, while this variable in addition to the height and weight of subjects were determining variables in subjects with their eyes closed. As a result, whether subjects participated in an exercise program affected their static balance irrespective of whether their eyes open or closed. Therefore, regular exercise is recommended for elderly people and further research is needed to examine the relationship between static and dynamic balance while performing mental tasks such as cognition and attention.

For the purpose of disclosing the effects of exercise program on physical fitness for health promotion, living activities, and performance abilities of the elderly in the institution, questionnaire survey and physical examination were performed on the subject, aged 65 years or older. The subjects consisted of experimental (33 persons) and control (35 persons) groups, matched with gender and age. The experimental group was put on the exercise program; working their upper and lower limbs for 12 weeks using dumbbell and lead-packed weight. The results were as follows: 1)The mean values of experimental group were significantly higher than those of control group in all variables of physical fitness, in all variables except for living activities, and in all variables of performance abilities after exercise program. 2)The mean values were significantly improved in all variables of experimental group after exercise program, but the mean values were decreased or maintained in most of variables of control group after exercise.

For the purpose of disclosing the effects of progressive low intensity exercise on the activity of the elderly, questionnaire survey and physical fitness examination were performed on the subjects who were 65 years old or older. The subjects were assigned into two groups using paired matching on gender and age: experimental group (33 persons) and control groups (35 persons). The subjects in experimental group was put on the low intensity exercise program (exercising upper and lower limbs for 12 weeks using dumbbell and lead-packed weight). The results showed that the difference of physical and social behavior scores among activities before and after exercise were significantly higher in all variables of general characteristics, health habits and status, perception, and physical fitness. The findings of this research suggested that the progressive low intensity exercise improves the activities of the elderly, physical activity, self assessed activity, activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, social behavior of the elderly be affected by general characteristics, health habits and status, perception, and physical fitness.

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of exercise training on the strength and balance ability of the elderly. The results of this study are: 1) After 8 weeks exercise training, knee muscle strength showed a significant increment. 2) After exercise training, forward functional reach and balance index of KAT 2000 showed a significant increment. Results indicate that strengthening exercise can result in improved muscle strength and balance in the elderly. Further studies are required to show long-term effects of exercise training on the elderly.

Occupational therapists often employ multidimensional tasks. These tasks, referred with necessary exercise, yet direct the focus of attention toward another objective or outcome. The assumption is that the additional purpose will result in improved task per- formance, provided it is sufficiently distracting or meaningful to the person. The pres- ent study examined the effects of an added purpose task on performance compared with a single-purpose task, namely rote exercise, as measured by the number of repetitions, task duration, and exercise heart rate. Stoppage during the activity was also recorded. Thirty-nine elderly subjects performed both added purpose activity and rote exercise in randomly assigned order. Results indicated that the added-purpose, occupationally em- bedded exercise condition elicited significantly more exercise repetitions(p=.001), and longer task duration than did the rote exercise condition (p=.000). This study provides additional support for the traditional occupational therapy concept of embedding exer- cise within occupation.