高齢ゲートボール実施者の10年後の体力変動

概要

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We investigated the longitudinal changes of physical fitness in elderly people with habitual gate ball activity. The subjects have worked out gate ball activity for one hour per day and three times per week for over 10 years. A follow-up of grip strength, foot-balance, 10-m hurdle walk, and 6-min walk in eight elderly peoples (80.5±2.6 years) were measured after 10 years. The grip strength did not significantly change, and almost showed equivalent mean value. The time of 10-m hurdle walk was significantly shorter than that in a first investigation. In contrast, there was decline with aging in both the time of foot-balance and the distance of 6-min walk. The percentage of measured values in a follow-up to a first investigation were 106.1±20.3% in grip strength, 49.0±29.9% in foot-balance, 114.2±11.4% in 10-m hurdle walk, and 94.0±13.1% in 6-min walk. Particularly, balance capacity in subjects declined remarkably. These results suggest that habitual gate ball activity was effective in maintaining and/or improving strength and walking ability in elderly people for long-term period with 10 years. Furthermore, it is important to recommend exercise training to maintain the balance and aerobic capacity as much as possible in addition to habitual gate ball activity to elderly people.