Citation

Song HS, Kim JY. J. Phys. Ther. Sci. 2015; 27(5): 1365-1367.

Affiliation

Department of Occupational Therapy, Howon University, Republic of Korea.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Society of Physical Therapy Science)

DOI

10.1589/jpts.27.1365

PMID

26157220

PMCID

PMC4483398

Abstract

[Purpose] This study was to assessed the efficacy of a complex exercise program for the elderly, with respect to the effects on walking ability during direction change and on falls efficacy. [Subjects] In total, 40 subjects were selected for this study and assigned randomly to either a complex exercise (n = 20) or a general exercise (n = 20) group. [Methods] The complex exercise consisted of resistance and aerobic exercises. The exercise program was conducted three times a week for eight weeks. We assessed outcome measures of the four square step test, the figure-of-8 walk test, and the falls efficacy scale. [Results] After the intervention, the four step square test, figure-of-8 walk test, and falls efficacy scale values increased significantly in both the complex exercise program and general exercise groups. The complex exercise group showed a more significant improvement than the general exercise group in the figure-of-8 walk test step and falls efficacy scale scores. [Conclusion] Complex exercise improved walking ability during direction change and falls efficacy in elderly individuals.

Language: en