Background: The elderly population is increasing rapidly worldwide. Muscle mass, usual walking speed (UWS), knee extension strength (KES), hand grip strength (HGS), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and depression is used for sarcopenia diagnosis. All four of these factors (KES, HGS, PEF, and depression) correlated with UWS and also to muscle mass. But, many studies have suggested that no correlation exists between muscle mass and UWS. Objects: This study aimed: 1) to investigate whether muscle mass reduction affected UWS, as mediated by KES, HGS, PEF and depression, and 2) to explored whether significant changes in these mediators varied by the body segment in which muscle mass evaluated in elderly female aged 65–80 years. Methods: A total of 100 female aged 65–80 years were surveyed. Muscle mass was measured by body segment (upper and lower segment), and KES, HGS, PEF, depression, and UWS were also assessed. Median analyses were progressed in IBM SPSS software (ver. 23.0, IBM Co.) using a downloaded INDIRECT macro. Results: The direct effect of the KES and PEF were significant, and the indirect effect of KES and PEF were not significant. Thus, KES and PEF served as full mediators of the effect of muscle mass on UWS. Regardless of bodily region, KES and PEF combined with muscle mass were significant mediators of UWS, with similar indirect effect sizes. Conclusion: KES and PEF are the only mediators regardless of body part. Therefore, mediating the KES and PEF may prevent sarcopenia progression in elderly female. Also, sarcopenia can be readily assessed by evaluating either the upper or lower body; it is not necessary to measure total muscle mass.

Regularly participating in physical activity is known to improve quality of life and body composition in elderly with stroke. However, comparatively less physical activity is performed by the stroke survivors. The factors related to inactivity in elderly female stroke survivors have not been elucidated. Therefore, this study aims to compare the quality of life factors and limb compositions between the active and inactive elderly female stroke survivors. Forty nine subjects between the ages of 65 to 75 years were selected from the KNHANES data between the years 2009 to 2011. In addition, 186 agematched healthy peers were also selected for limb composition comparisons. The subjects were groups based on walking days per week: walkers; 3 days or more, non-walkers; less than 3 days per week. BMI and waist circumference were within the obesity ranges for both the non-walkers and walkers. As results, the trend for greater fat (±10%) and lean mass (±30%) differences were observed for non-walker and walkers, respectively. Significantly greater reasons for function limitation by stroke and hypertension were reported with significantly greater self-care difficulty was shown by the walkers. In conclusion, elderly female stroke survivals may require customized motivation and continuous support to participate in physical activity regularly.

본 연구는 한방기공운동에 참여하는 여성노인들의 재미요인이 건강관련 삶의 질에 미치는 영향력을 검증하기 위하여 수행되었다. 구체적으로는 한방기공운동에 참여하는 여성노인들의 인구통계학적인 내용에 따라 연령, 학력, 운동경력에 따른 두 변인과의 영향력을 분석하였고, 준거변인인 건강관련 삶의 질과 예언변인인 재미요인에 관계는 어떠한 관계로 형성되어 있는가를 알아보았다. 분석 결과는 한방기공운동의 재미요인이 건강관련 삶의 질에 영향을 미치고 있다는 실질적인 효과를 규명하였으며, 한방기공운동이 여성노인운동의 긍정적인 프로그램으로 활용될 수 있다는 근거를 제공하였다.

This study aimed to investigate the perception, consumption, and acceptability of convenience mealsin low-income female elderly attending a lunch program at a community well fare center. Using in-depth interviews, qualitative data were collected 11 elderly females (62.5±11.2y) living in Seoul. Participants tried to eat various foods in small-portionsat home, although they ate out what they were offered. Elderly females preferred lunch box-type meals containing a bowl of rice served with toppings, gruel, or Bibimbop due to the growing unavailability of cooking or preparing a meal. Side-dish type convenience mealswere also preferred among elderly females since boiled rice can be easily prepared according to individual preferences. In addition, participants preferred healthy foods. Convenience meal planning and production, appropriate kinds of foods, cooking methods, menus, and packaging should be selected based on the elderly's functional atrophy in chewing, swallowing,digestion, and metabolic diseases. Furthermore, food preferences and comfort foods among the elderlyneed to be identified and characterized. Therefore, more information, including bite size, cutting size, and food texture, should be provided to understand and develop convenience meals for the elderly.

Horticultural activity is the one of the most effective recreations due to plenty of advantages. To most of the elderly generation, for instance, it is the familiar activity as well as productive activity, leading to satisfaction by providing an environment for social interaction. In addition, it has been shown that positive results such as memory restoration and emotional stabilization come from it. The purpose of this study was the assessment of horticultural activity as a recreation for the solitude elderly female by investigating the level of isolation and satisfaction of the life. Eight women between 65 and 75 year old were investigated every once a week from March, 18, to October, 28, 2003. Data was collected from UCLA solitude level, the aged life satisfaction, and horticultural activity evaluation and statistically analyzed by SPSS 10.0 and paired t-test was used. As a result, the solitude level was decreased from 52 to 45 with the significance at 0.035(<α=0.05) and the satisfaction level was increased from 32 to 38 with the significance at 0.022(<α=0.05).