高齢者の水中トレーニングは足関節底屈筋力と動的バランス機能を改善させる

概要

論文の詳細を見る
Gait and lower extremity muscle training are needed to maintain physical fitness in elderly people. Both lower extremity muscle and balance training are important for prevention of falls. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of aqua exercise training in elderly people. Twenty healthy elderly people (age: 69.1±4.5 yr, BMI: 24.1±2.7kg/m^2) were recruited as subjects. They performed 8-week aquatic program mainly consists of gait that front, back, side and long stride walk during three times a week. As a result, both muscle strength of plantar flexion (muscle strength of triceps surge) (33.9±11.0kg→45.5±7.9kg;p<0.01) and timed up & go test (5.9±0.6sec→5.3±0.6sec;p<0.01) were significantly improved. Additionally, changes in tension and anxiety of POMS score significant correlated with improvement of muscle strength of plantar flexion. Furthermore, fear of falls on a subjective questionnaire was significantly decreased to 82%. On the other hand, physical characteristics and POMS parameters were not significantly improved. These findings suggest that fear of falls is relieved by improvement of muscle strength of plantar flexion and dynamic balance function. In conclusion, aqua exercise training as walking was effective for enhancement of muscle strength of plantar flexion, and dynamic balance function on ADL, and was useful for prevention of falls in elderly people.
2009-09-30