여성 고령자의 낙상경험 및 낙상공포 수준에 따른 체력의 차이

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to verify the difference in physical fitness according to the experience of falling and intensity of fear of falling in elderly females. The subjects were comprised of 164 elderly women (aged 65-88). Subjects were divided into four groups: 1) have fallen-high K-SAFE group, 2) have fallen -low K-SAFE group, 3) have not fallen-high K-SAFE, 4) have not fallen-low K-SAFE group. Fear of falling was measured with Korean survey of activities and fear of falling (K-SAFE) questionnaire. Physical fitness was assessed by measuring upper and lower extremity strength, aerobic endurance, upper and lower extremity flexibility, agility, and dynamic and static balance. In order to analyze collected data, 2×2 ANCOVA was utilized. The statistical significance was accepted at .05 levels. The results were as follows: Age affect upper and lower extremity strength, aerobic endurance, upper extremity flexibility, agility, and dynamic and static balance(p.05). Upper and lower extremity strength, aerobic endurance, lower extremity flexibility, agility, and dynamic and the static balance of the low K-SAFE groups were significantly higher than the high K-SAFE groups(p.05). Upper extremity strength and upper extremity flexibility of the have not fallen groups were significantly higher than the have fallen groups(p.05). In conclusion, high intensity of fear of falling was associated with a reduction in Upper and lower extremity strength, aerobic endurance, lower extremity flexibility, agility, and dynamic and the static balance. Therefore, if elderly women have an intense fear of falling, even though they did not actually fall, they need countermeasures, education in fall prevention and specific exercises to help strength a balance, which will help ease fears and prevent falls.