Effect of Multidimensional Exercise Training (MET) Program on Functional Fitness Tests in the Elderly

Abstract

Multidimensional Exercise Training (MET) was designed especially for the elderly to improve the aerobic fitness, balance, and muscle strength. One part of MET is Low Impact Tai Chi Aerobic (LITA) which is a 15 forms Tai Chi modified from traditional Yang style Tai Chi. Another part of MET is Strengthening and Balance Exercise with Theraband (SBET) which is a 9 forms theraband exercise modified from martial art movements. Lots of studies proved the separate effects of Tai Chi, theraband, and balance training in older people, but the exercise training effects of the MET program in the elderly was still unclear. PURPOSE: To identify the effects of a multidimensional exercise training program on functional fitness of elderly. METHODS: Seventeen older adults were recruited from Longtan community in Taiwan. Subjects were divided into exercise group (n = 8; age = 72.75 ± 3.99 yr) and control group (n = 9; age = 71.50 ± 5.71 yr). One-hour group MET was held three times weekly for 12 weeks with eight minutes warm up, thirty-five minutes LITA, twenty minutes SBET and five minutes stretching exercise. Subjects in the control group were instructed not to change their exercise levels throughout the study. Functional fitness tests including chair stand in 30 seconds, arm curl in 30 seconds, chair sit and reach, back scratch, 8 ft up and go, 2 min step test, and functional reach test were executed before and after whole training course. Student t-test was used to identify the group difference at the beginning of program and also training effects after exercise (a= 0.05). RESULTS: Exercise compliance rate in the exercise group is 86.7 % during the 12 weeks exercise training. There was no statistically significant difference for the pre-test between two groups in subjects" characteristics and various functional fitness tests except the 2- min step test. The exercise group performed better than control group in 2- min step test (exercise group: 105 steps; control group: 85 steps; p <.05) at the beginning. Only the post test in chair stand test between two groups showed significant difference at p <.05. CONCLUSIONS: The MET program is effective in improving lower extremity strength for elderly. Exercise training for twelve weeks may be not long enough to improve the strength of upper limb, flexibility, aerobic capacity, balance and mobility for elderly.