가상현실 훈련이 노인의 하지 근활성도에 미치는 영향

Abstract

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of virtual reality training on muscle activation in the elderly. METHODS: The subjects were 32 healthy elderly people aged between 65 and 80, who were divided into the VR(virtual reality) training group(n=17) and the control group(n=15). The Virtual reality training group engaged in a 30-minute exercise session using Wii Fit three times a week for eight weeks. Virtual reality training group used the Ski Slalom, Table tile, Balance bubble programs. low-extremity muscle activation of the two groups were measured before and after the intervention. RESULTS: To investigate the effects of the training on lower-extremity muscle activation, biceps femoris, gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, vastus lateralis were measured. The results revealed that the activation of gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior significantly increased(p<.05), which indicates virtual reality training is effective in improving the activation of the muscles involved in the movement of the ankle joint. CONCLUSION: Virtual reality training is effective in improving the healthy elderly's activation of the muscles involved in the movement of the ankle joint. Thus, virtual reality training can be proposed as a form of fall prevention exercise for the elderly.