Effectiveness of Foot Exercises together with the Hydrotherapy program on Blood Sugar Levels in Elderly People without Diabetes

Abstract

Background: The elderly human population is susceptible to health problems due to decreased organ function. The risk of diabetes in old age also reduces quality of life. Preventing the risk of developing diabetes mellitus requires simple and simple exercise programs such as foot exercises and hydrotherapy. The effect of light leg exercise and hydrotherapy on carbohydrate metabolism is unknown. Objectives: To find out the impact of hydrotherapy alone or in combination with foot exercise on elderly's blood sugar levels. Methods: Parallel three-group pre and post-test designs for an experimental investigation. 21 elderly in RW 04 Karangwetan, Ungaran served as research participants, divided into control group (n=7), combination of foot exercises and hydrotherapy intervention group (n=7), and foot exercise intervention group (n=7). The intervention took place three times per week for five weeks. We used POCT to assess blood sugar levels. Results: There is no significant decrease in blood sugar levels from control group (p>0.05). There is significant decrease in blood sugar levels from foot exercise and hydrotherapy intervention group (p<0.05) and foot exercise intervention group (p<0.05). The difference in blood sugar levels showed significant results between foot exercise and hydrotherapy intervention group and control group (p=0.000) and between foot exercise intervention group and control group (p=0.004). There is no significant differences in blood sugar levels between foot exercise and hydrotherapy intervention group and foot exercise intervention group (p=0.112). Conclusion: Simple exercise activities such as foot exercises together with hydrotherapy have been proven to reduce blood sugar levels in healthy elderly populations without diabetes