12-Week Exercise Training of Knee Joint and Squat Movement Improves Gait Ability in Older Women.

Myungsoo Choi,Jusik Park,Nayoung Ahn,Kijin Kim

doi:10.3390/ijerph18041515

Myungsoo Choi, Jusik Park + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18041515

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Abstract

This study analyzed the effects of an exercise training program consisting of a knee joint complex exercise device (leg-link system) with digitally controlled active motion function and squat movement on physical fitness and gait ability of elderly women aged 70 or above. Fifty four (54) elderly women aged 70 or above were divided into three groups as control group (n = 18), aerobic training group (n = 18), and combined training group with resistance and aerobic exercise (n = 18). Health-related physical fitness, gait ability-related physical fitness, and the temporal and spatial parameters of gait ability were compared. The health-related physical fitness after the 12-week training was not significantly altered in control group, whereas combined training group showed significant increase in all factors (p < 0.05) and aerobic training group showed significant increase (p < 0.05) only in the physical efficiency index. The gait ability-related physical fitness and all items of the temporal and spatial parameters of gait were found to have significantly increased (p < 0.05) in combined training group after the 12-week exercise training; however, in aerobic training group, only the factors related to muscular endurance and balance showed significant increase (p < 0.05). This study suggested that the exercise training consisting of knee joint complex exercise with digitally controlled active motion function and squat exercise for strengthening lower extremities and core muscles had positive effects on enhancing the ambulatory competence in elderly women.

Highlights

The retention of ambulatory competence based on preventing muscle mass reduction and falls has received growing attention as an important factor in health maintenance during aging
After the 12-week exercise training, combined training group showed positive changes in body composition accompanied by improvement in the physical fitness factors, the individual parameters that influence the ambulatory competence, and parameters related to gait ability, especially gait pattern
The resistance exercise training focusing on knee joint complex exercise device with digitally controlled active motion function and squat movements for strengthening the lower limb and core muscles, respectively, seems to have had positive influence on physical fitness factors that are crucial in ambulatory competence and on temporal and spatial parameters of gait ability, thereby exerting outstanding effects on improving the ambulatory competence

Summary

Introduction

The retention of ambulatory competence based on preventing muscle mass reduction and falls has received growing attention as an important factor in health maintenance during aging. Decrease in the lower limb and core muscles leads to their functional impairment and causes problems in gait ability, while inducing fall accidents of the elderly with direct influence on their mortality [3]. To prevent reduced gait ability and fall accidents, a method of increasing the muscle mass in the core and lower extremities and strengthening muscular function is required, and a relevant intensive training is necessary [4]. An effective resistance exercise training program based on resistance exercise for adequately loading the lower limb and core muscles should be carried out for increasing the muscles in lower extremities and improving gait ability [5]

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