Effect of a Two-year Health Program on Brain Function, Physical Fitness and Blood Chemistry

Abstract

Background: Protocols for carrying out health programs for aged adults have not been clearly presented. Thus, the aim of this study is to examine the effects from the first year to the second year of the Matsumoto health promotion program and to make use of the results in future health promotion for elderly people. Method: The city of Matsumoto offered local residents a two-year health program which includethe use of a pedometer, anthropometry, blood pressure, go/no-go brain function, a physical fitness test and a blood chemistry test. Eighty-six elderly people age 65.9 ± 5.9 years participated in the program. All the participants were given pedometers and a target of 7,000 to 8,000 steps per day was set based on the weight-bearing index. During the first year, the participants did their walking exercise and attended a series of monthly seminars. Then the second year, the participants continued their walking exercise, attended series of monthly seminars and began a 2 hour weight training once a week. Result: The result from the pedometer in the first year showed that the average daily walking step was 6552.9 ± 474.2. The second year, the average daily walking steps was 7170.4 ± 547.9. The results from first year to second year showed significant improvement; the number of incorrect response in the go/no-go tasks (before: 5.3 times ± 0.4, after: 2.9 times ± 0.2, p<0.001), sit-ups(before: 12.4 times ± 0.6 times, after: 17.4 times ± 0.8, p<0.001), sit and reach flexibility(before: 39.4 cm ± 1.2, after: 42.0 cm ± 1.3, p<0.05), eyes open single leg stance(before: 86.2 sec ± 5.4, after: 98.7 sec ± 4.6, p<0.001), 10-meter obstacle walk(before: 5.1 sec ± 0.1, after: 4.0 sec ± 1.1, p<0.001), 6-minute walking(before: 637.4 m ± 5.3, after: 716.6 m ± 9.8, p<0.001), the uric acid(before: 5.4 mg/dL ± 0.2, after: 5.1 mg/dL ± 1.2, p<0.001) and HDL (before: 68.5 mg/dL ± 2.4, after: 73.2 mg/dL ± 2.6, p<0.001) in the blood test. Conclusion: These results from the two-year program suggests that the increase in walking and the 2 hour weight training may reflect the influence of wearing a pedometer, and improved anthropometry, blood pressure, brain function, physical fitness and blood chemistry. However, the girth of the abdomen, handgrip strength and blood chemistry did not show significant improvement. Thus we must think about enlightenment program that wouldinclude muscular strength training and nutrition.