남성 고령자의 낙상공포 수준에 따른 체력수준의 차이

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to verify the difference in physical fitness according to level of fear of falling in elderly male. The subjects were composed of 124 elderly male(aged 65-97) who have not falling history. Subjects were divided into three groups: 1) high K-SAFFE group, 2) middle K-SAFFE group, 3) low K-SAFFE group. Fear of falling was measured with Korean survey of activities and fear of falling in the elderly(K-SAFFE) questionnaire(Cronbach`s =.763). Physical fitness was assessed by measuring upper and lower extremity strength, aerobic endurance, upper and lower extremity flexibility, agility and dynamic balance, static balance. In order to analyze collected data, ANCOVA was utilized. The statistical significance was accepted at .05 levels. The results were as follows: Age affect upper extremity strength, lower extremity flexibility, agility and dynamic balance, static balance(p.05). Upper extremity strength, agility and dynamic balance of the low K-SAFFE groups were significantly higher than the high K-SAFFE group(p.05). Lower extremity strength of the low K-SAFFE groups were significantly higher than the high and middle K-SAFFE group(p.05). Aerobic endurance(p.05) and upper lower extremity flexibility(p.01) of the low and middle K-SAFFE group were significantly higher than the high K-SAFFE group. In conclusion, high level of fear of falling, even though have not falling history, has been associated with decreased physical fitness of elderly male.