八段锦对社区老年人跌倒效能的影响研究

[目的]探讨八段锦对社区老年人跌倒效能的影响,为预防跌倒的干预措施奠定理论基础。[方法]采用便利抽样法按纳入排除标准在成都市某社区筛选95例老年人,并分成试验组和对照组,试验组进行12周的八段锦练习,对照组进行12周的散步练习。干预前采集一般资料并评估跌倒基线资料,干预前、干预后第12周采用修订版跌倒效能量表(MFES)评估跌倒效能。[结果]干预后12周试验组MFES评分与对照组比较总评分及室外条目得分差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。[结论]八段锦练习能提高社区老年人的跌倒效能,增强其预防跌倒的信心,从而预防及减少跌倒及跌倒伤害。     

水中运动训练对恢复期脑卒中患者下肢肌肉力量和步行能力的影响

目的:探讨水中运动训练对恢复期脑卒中患者下肢肌肉力量、痉挛程度和步行能力的影响方法:初次发病的恢复期脑卒中患者(n=20,年龄41.5±16.5岁),随机分为两组,每组10例.一组为对照组,只进行常规康复训练,另一组为水疗组,每周进行3-4次水中运动训练,其他时间做常规康复训练.两组治疗总时间相同,观察4周,水疗共14次.于训练前后评价患侧膝和踝屈伸肌的最大等长收缩(MIVC)肌力、下肢痉挛状况、运动功能和步行能力的改变,用t检验进行分析比较.结果:经过4周训练,水疗组患者踝跖屈时腓肠肌等长收缩力矩显著提高(3.6±0.3 vs 0.6±0.2,P＜0.05),患者步行能力(3.5±1.5 vs 2.7± 1.2)、下肢运动功能(29.7±3.5 vs 27.8±2.6)及平衡功能评分(11.5±3.3 vs 9.3±2.9)显著提高(p＜0.05);在训练前后患者股直肌与腓肠肌痉挛并无显著性改变(P＞0.05).结论:短期水中运动训练可以增强恢复期脑卒中患者患侧踝跖屈肌力,且不强化痉挛,有利于提高患者下肢功能和步行能力.     

The effects of the length of rain boots on balance during treadmill walking

[Purpose] Effects of muscle fatigue on lower-extremity balance were evaluated in 12healthy young women in their 20s while they walked on a treadmill wearing rain boots ofdifferent lengths. [Methods] The rain boots were divided into three groups based on theshaft length (Long, Middle, Short). Romberg’s test was applied and limits of stabilitywere measured before and after treadmill walking. [Results] Romberg’s test showed asignificant main effect for time. There were significant differences between the center ofgravity area, length, and velocity when the eyes were open and the center of gravitylength, velocity, and length/cm² when the eyes were closed. Changes in thelimits of stability also showed a significant main effect of time. There were significantdifferences in pre-test and post-test values in the left, right, forward, and totaldirections. [Conclusion] It was found that muscle fatigue in the lower extremitiesgenerated by walking in rain boots affected the joints and the adjuster muscles, dependingon shaft lengths. Compensation due to visual feedback and the length of the boot shaftaffected movement of the distal joints, resulting in a reduced ability to balance.     

Effect of exercise performance by elderly women on balance ability and muscle function

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an exercise intervention on the balance ability and muscle function of elderly women. [Subjects] The subjects were randomly divided into a control group (n=10) and an exercise group (n=10). [Methods] The subjects participated in an elastic band exercise program lasting for 8 weeks, exercising for 40 minutes, four days a week with resting terms of 60 sec. Subjects used a band corresponding to 60% of the strength of the color band with which repetitive exercise was possible up to twelve times. The subjects performed elastic band exercises, with variations to the number of band exercises according to the improvement of their physical fitness levels. When fifteen repetitive elastic band exercises could be performed with no damage of the body, we changed the band for one which was one level up from the former one and subjects used the same band for the upper body and lower body. [Results] Leg muscular strength measured as sit-stand repetitions in 30 s significantly increased in the exercise group after the intervention compared to before the intervention. Leg muscular endurance measured as the number of knee ups in 2 minutes significantly increased in the exercise group after the intervention compared to before the intervention. Balance measured by one-leg standing time with the eyes open significantly improved in the exercise group after the intervention compared to before the intervention. [Conclusion] Balance ability and muscle function significantly improved in the exercise group and showing that the intervention is effective at improving balance, muscle strength, and muscle endurance of elderly women.Key words: Balance ability, Muscle function, Exercise therapy     

The effects of virtual reality game exercise on balance and gait of the elderly

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to examine the effects of ball exercise as a general exercise on the balance abilities of elderly individuals by comparing ball exercise with virtual reality exercise. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty elderly individuals residing in communities were randomly divided into a virtual reality game group and a ball exercise group and conducted exercise for 30 min 3 times a week for 8 weeks. [Results] Step length increased significantly, and the average sway speed and Timed Up and Go time significantly decreased in both groups. A comparison of sway length after the intervention between the two groups revealed that the virtual reality game exercise resulted in a reduction than the ball exercise. [Conclusion] The results of this study indicated that the virtual reality game exercise may improve balance and gait of elderly individuals in communities.Key words: Elderly, Balance, Virtual reality exercise     

The effects of action observation gait training on the static balance and walking ability of stroke patients

[Purpose] The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of action observation training on the static balance and walking ability of patients who had suffered a stroke. [Subjects] Forty patients with hemiplegia resulting from a stroke were divided into an action observation gait training group (AOGT group, n=20) and a general gait training group (GGT group, n=20). [Methods] The AOGT group watched a training video on flatland gait, slope gait, and stair gait. The GGT group watched a video on nature. Both groups watched their respective video for 10 minutes and then had gait training for 20 minutes per day, five times per week, for eight weeks. [Results] The static balance and gait ability of both groups significantly improved. Although there were significant differences between the groups, the AOTG group showed greater improvements in sway speed, limit of stability, and gait ability. [Conclusion] We recommend action observation training over general gait training for patients with hemiplegia. Action observational training had a positive effect on static balance and gait ability in stroke patients’ static balance and gait ability. Further research is needed to generalize the results of this study.Key words: Hemiplegia, Action observation training, Gait     

The effects of ankle loads on balance ability during one-leg stance

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of ankle loads on balance ability and to suggest an appropriate load amount. [Subjects and Methods] The 31 healthy subjects randomly put 0%, 1%, and 2% body weight loads on their ankles using a strap, and limit of stability was measured using a Biorescue system. Limits of stability were measured for 10 seconds using their dominant leg in the left, right, forward, and backward directions. [Results] All values for limit of stability increased significantly with the 1% load compared with the 0% load during a one-leg stance. However, all values except for the backward limit of stability showed a significant decrease with the 2% load compared with the 1% load. There was a significant difference between the 0% and 2% loads. [Conclusion] Application of loads on the ankles can be used as a training method for improving balance ability, and to increase efficiency, it is appropriate to apply 1% of the subject’s body weight.Key words: Balance, Loads, One-leg stance     

骨盆训练对脑卒中偏瘫患者步行能力的影响

目的 观察骨盆训练对偏瘫患者下肢步行能力的影响。方法 60例脑卒中患者分成骨盆训练组（30例）与对照组（30例）,分别于治疗前后对两组患者下肢的步行能力进行评定,比较两组治疗效果。结果 骨盆训练组患者的功能改善（优良率93．3％）明显好于对照组。结论 骨盆训练能显著提高脑卒中患者下肢的步行能力。     

New intervention program for preventing falls among frail elderly people: the effects of perturbed walking exercise using a bilateral separated treadmill

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of a perturbed walking exercise using a bilateral separated treadmill in physically disabled elderly. DESIGN: Participants of the study were 32 long-term care facility residents and outpatients aged 66-98 yrs. Participants were randomly assigned to a usual exercise group or to a treadmill exercise group. Perturbed gait exercise on a treadmill continued for 6 mos. Number of falls and time to first fall during a 6-mo period, balance and gait functions, and reaction time were evaluated before and after intervention. RESULTS: The treadmill exercise group showed significant improvement in balance and reaction time when compared with the usual exercise group. Number of falls in the treadmill exercise group was 21% lower than that in the usual exercise group. However, this difference was not significant. No significant differences were seen in time to first fall. CONCLUSIONS: Gait training with unexpected perturbation seems to have a beneficial impact on physical function in disabled elderly individuals. The results suggest that this program may be used as an exercise intervention to reduce falls in institutional settings.     

The effects of aquatic exercise on body composition and nonspecific low back pain in elderly males

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of aquatic exercises on nonspecific low back pain (LBP) in elderly males. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty-two elderly men aged 65 or older were recruited and randomly allocated to two groups: aquatic training (3 d/wk for 12 wk) or a control group. Body mass index (BMI), percentage of body fat (PBF), waist-hip ratio (WHR), and trunk muscle mass were measured before and after training. [Results] The results suggested that all obesity variables including BMI, WHR, and PBF of the aquatic training group were decreased significantly, while the trunk muscle mass of the aquatic training group was increased significantly. Furthermore, low back pain was decreased in the subjects after the intervention. [Conclusion] The water-based program improved LBP and body composition in the elderly men.Key words: Elderly, Low back pain, Body composition     

康复机器人辅助步行训练对脑瘫患儿步行能力的影响

摘要 目的：探讨康复机器人辅助步行训练对脑瘫患儿步行能力的影响。 方法：将32例患儿随机分为机器人组和对照组,每组16例,均进行8周康复训练。所有患儿均采用常规康复治疗,机器人组在此基础上给予康复机器人辅助步行训练。分别在训练前和训练后采用粗大运动功能测试量表(GMFM)中D区和E区评分进行评定。 结果：两组患儿各项指标在治疗前无显著性差异(P>0.05)。经过治疗后,对照组与机器人组患儿的GMFM D区评分分别为59.33±20.69,77.24±17.35;E区评分分别为：41.58±9.81,49.81±21.06,两组评分较治疗前都明显提高(P<0.01),且机器人组的评分优于对照组（P<0.05）。 结论：康复机器人辅助步行训练可显著提高脑瘫患儿的步行能力。     

Age and falls history effects on antagonist leg muscle coactivation during walking with balance perturbations

BackgroundInspired by a reliance on visual feedback for movement control in older age, optical flow perturbations provide a unique opportunity to study the neuromuscular mechanisms involved in walking balance control, including aging and falls history effects on the response to environmental balance challenges. Specifically, antagonist leg muscle coactivation, which increases with age during walking, is considered a neuromuscular defense against age-associated deficits in balance control. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of age and falls history on antagonist leg muscle coactivation during walking with and without optical flow perturbations of different amplitudes.MethodsEleven young adults [mean (standard deviation) age: 24.8 (4.8) years], eleven older non-fallers [75.3 (5.4) years] and eleven older fallers [age: 78 (7.6) years] participated in this study. Participants completed 2-minute walking trials while watching a speed-matched virtual hallway that, in some conditions, included mediolateral optical flow perturbations designed to elicit the visual perception of imbalance.FindingsWe first found that lower leg antagonist muscle coactivation during normal walking increased with age, independent of falls history. We also found that older but not young adults increased antagonist leg muscle coactivation in the presence of optical flow perturbations, with more pervasive effects in older adults with a history of falls.InterpretationOur findings allude to a greater susceptibility to optical flow perturbations in older fallers during walking, which points to a higher potential for risk of instability in more complex and dynamic everyday environments. These findings may also have broader impacts related to the design of innovative training paradigms and neuromuscular targets for falls prevention.     

The effect of Swiss ball exercise and resistance exercise on balancing ability of scoliosis patients

[Purpose] The purpose of the study was to closely examine the efficiency of Swiss ball exercise and resistance exercise in improving the on the static balancing ability by applying them to patients with scoliosis and to compare the effects of the interventions. [Subjects] Forty scoliosis patients were divided into a Swiss ball exercise group (SEG, N = 20) and a Resistance exercise group (REG, N = 20) randomly. [Methods] SEG conducted chest stretching, trunk exercise using the Swiss ball. REG conducted chest stretching, trunk exercise with therapist’s resistance. Both groups received training 30 min per day, five times per week, for eight weeks. [Results] Both SEG and REG showed significant differences between pre- and post-mediation in terms of weight distribution, sway area, sway length, sway speed, and limit of stability. Sway speed and limit of stability had increased more significantly in REG than in SEG. [Conclusion] According to the result of this study, both Swiss ball exercise and chest Resistance exercise were effective for improving on the static balancing ability. But we suggest resistance exercise is more efficient to increase of sway speed, limit of stability.Key words: Scoliosis, Swiss ball exercise, Resistance exercise     

Effects of combined exercise on changes of lower extremity muscle activation during walking in older women

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the effects of combined exercise for a period of 12 weeks on the changes in lower extremity muscle activation during walking in older women. [Subjects] The subjects of this study were 22 elderly women who were 65 years of age or older and living in B-City. The subjects had no nervous system or muscular system diseases that might affect walking in the previous two years. [Methods] Muscle activation was measured by using surface EMG (QEMG-8, Laxtha, Daejeon, Republic of Korea). The subjects were asked to walk on an 8 m of footpath at a natural speed. In order to minimize the noise from the cable connecting the EMG measuring instrument to the electrodes, tape was used to affix the electrodes so that they would not fall off the subjects. The EMG data were analyzed by using the RMS. [Results] Muscle activation of the rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius was increased significantly after combined exercise for 12 weeks. However, no increase was observed in the left biceps femoris. [Conclusion] It was demonstrated that our exercise program, which includes aerobic walking exercises, senior-robics, and muscle strengthening exercises using elastic bands, is very effective for reorganizing the normal gait pattern in the cerebral cortex and improving muscle strength.Key words: Combined exercise, Muscle activation, Elderly women     

The effects of stepper exercise with visual feedback on strength,walking, and stair climbing in individuals following stroke

[Purpose] This study investigated the effect of stepper exercise with visual feedback on strength, walking, and stair climbing in stroke patients. [Subjects] Twenty-six stroke patients were divided randomly into the stepper exercise with visual feedback group (n = 13) or the stepper exercise group (n = 13). [Methods] Subjects in the experimental group received feedback through the mirror during exercise, while those in the control group performed the exercise without visual feedback; both groups exercised for the 30 min thrice per week for 6 weeks. The hip extensor and knee extensor strength, 10-m walking test results, and 11-step stair climbing test results were evaluated before and after the intervention. [Results] The stepper exercise with visual feedback group showed significantly greater improvement for hip extensor strength and the 10-m walking test. The knee extensor strength and 11-step stair climbing in both groups showed significantly greater improvement after the intervention, but without any significant difference between groups. [Conclusion] The findings of this study indicate that the stepper exercise with visual feedback can help improve the strength of the hip extensor and the 10-m walking test; the stepper exercise alone may also improve the knee extensor strength and stair climbing ability.Key words: Stroke, Stairs, Visual feedback     

The effect of modified bridge exercise on balance ability of stroke patients

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to verify the effects of a modified bridging exercise on stroke patients with improvement in weight bearing on the affected side in standing and static balancing ability. [Subjects] Thirty patients who had a stroke were randomly allocated into a supine bridge exercise group (SBG, n=10), a supine bridge exercise on a TOGU balance pad group (SBTG, n=10), and a unilateral bridge exercise group (UBG, n=10). [Methods] The SBG patients underwent supine bridge exercise, the SBTG patients underwent supine bridge exercise with a TOGU balance pad, and the UBG patients underwent unilateral bridge exercise. All groups received 20 minutes of training per day, five times per week, for four weeks. [Results] All groups showed significant changes in weight bearing in a standing position after the intervention. The SBTG and UBG groups showed significant changes in balance ability. [Conclusion] According to the results of this study, bridge exercise was effective in improving weight bearing in a standing position and improving balance on stroke patients. The bridge exercise with a TOGU balance pad and the unilateral bridge exercise were especially more effective in anterior, posterior length in limit of stability following on standing.Key words: Bridge exercise, Stroke, Balance     

踩网格运动在老年步行功能障碍患者中的应用

目的探讨踩网格运动在老年步行功能障碍患者中的应用效果。方法将58例老年步行功能障碍患者按历史对照法分为对照组和观察组各29例。对照组按常规进行康复训练,观察组应用踩网格运动训练。采用运动中的情感状态测定尺度（MCL-S．2）量表和Fugl-Meyer下肢运动功能评分、改良Ashorth法肌张力评级、Holder步行功能分级量表比较两组患者训练时的心情及步行功能改善程度。结果观察组心情分明显优于对照组（P〈0.01）,步行功能改善比较两组无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论踩网格运动在老年步行功能障碍患者中的应用效果同常规康复训练,但患者的训练依从性提高。     

The effects of horse-riding simulator exercise and Kendall exercise on the forward head posture

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to examine the effects of horse-riding simulator exercise and Kendall exercise on forward head posture. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty elderly college students with a forward head posture were randomly divided into two groups for 15 persons each, a horse-riding simulator group and Kendall exercise group, and performed exercise for eight weeks. [Results] The horse-riding simulator group and Kendall exercise group showed significant differences after the intervention in New York state posture rating, craniovertebral angle, and cranial rotation angle. The horse-riding simulator group showed a significantly smaller value than the Kendall exercise group for New York state posture rating evaluation after the intervention. [Conclusion] The results of this study indicate that horse-riding simulator exercise is more effective on forward head posture than Kendall exercise. Therefore, horse-riding simulator exercise can be used as a new simple treatment method for the ever-growing forward head posture.Key words: Neck pain, Posture, Horse-riding simulator     

The effects of a community-centered muscle strengthening exercise program using an elastic band on the physical abilities and quality of life of the rural elderly

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a muscle strengthening exercise program using an elastic band on changes in the physical abilities and quality of life of the rural elderly. [Subjects] The subjects of this study were 46 elderly people (8 males, 38 females) aged 65 or older, who lived in a rural area and managed their daily lives independently. [Methods] The study’s exercise program was conducted 16 times for 80 minutes each session over an eight-week period. This program consisted of several exercises to strengthen muscular endurance and improve balance ability based on exercises using Thera-bands. The physical abilities of the subjects were divided into muscular endurance, upper-extremity flexibility, balance, and low-extremity agility. Each ability was measured to compare the effects of the exercise program. In addition, the Korean version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL)-BREF questionnaire was used to examine changes in the subjects’ quality of life. [Results] The subjects showed improvements in muscular endurance, balance, and low-extremity agility. They also exhibited an overall statistically significant improvement in quality of life scores after the exercise program. In terms of the main items, changes were observed in the areas of psychological relations, social relations, and environment. [Conclusion] The community-centered muscle strengthening exercise program using the elastic band was found to improve muscular endurance, balance, agility, and quality of life of rural elderly subjects.Key words: Elderly, Physical ability, Quality of life     

Reproducibility and validity of the 50-meter walking test in community-dwelling elderly

[Purpose] This study aimed to investigate the reproducibility and validity of the 50-m walking test. [Subjects] Reproducibility was investigated in 19 community-dwelling elderly women (mean age, 76.3 years), and validity was investigated in 31 community-dwelling elderly individuals (12 men and 19 women; mean age, 75.7 years). [Methods] The time taken to walk 50 m, the time taken to walk each 10-m section (laps 1–5), the time taken to walk 10 m, and grip strength were measured. In addition, the functional reach test (FRT), one-leg standing test, and timed up and go (TUG) test were performed. [Results] In a reproducibility analysis, the interclass correlation coefficient (1,1) was 0.97. In a Bland-Altman analysis, no systematic error was found. The measured values from the 50-m walking test included a measurement error of 1.5 s, and the acceptable margin of error was confirmed to be 3.1 s. In a validity analysis, the 50-m walking test score was significantly correlated with the 10-m walking and TUG test scores. [Conclusion] Our results suggest that the 50-m walking test score may be a useful index of the walking ability of community-dwelling elderly.Key words: 50-meter walk test, Reproducibility, Validity