The Characteristic of a Simple Exercise Program under the Instruction of Physiotherapists -For General Elderly People and Frail Elderly People-

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to validate the characteristic of an exercise program consisting of simple exercise methods under the instruction of physiotherapists for general elderly people living in a community (general elderly group) and a frail elderly group. [Subjects] The general elderly group consisted of 44 persons (74.2 ± 4.38 years old: 6 men, 38 women) and the frail elderly group, 30 persons (80.6 ± 6.12 years old: 10 men, 20 women). [Methods] The measurement items were weight, body fat percentage, grip strength, knee extensor strength, sitting trunk flexion, one leg standing, functional reach test, timed up and go test, 10-m walking time, TMIG Index of Competence, MOS Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey, and the Life-Space Assessment. In each group, group and individual exercises were provided by physiotherapists. All the exercises were easy to perform. [Results] Knee extensor strength of the frail elderly group improved to almost the same level of the general elderly group. There were significant improvements in balance, gait ability, social and psychological attitudes in both groups. [Conclusion] We think that muscle strengthening exercises without exercise tools as resistance under the instruction of physiotherapists would be effective for improving the muscle strength of frail elderly persons.