Physiological Parameters Related to Health of The Elderly

노인의 건강관련 생리적 지수에 관한 연구

The purpose of this study was to identify the health status of elderly. Subjects were 132 older people who live in home and institution located Taejon metropolitan city. Data were collected from May 1997 to April 1998. To obtain data about health status of elderly. pulse, respiration, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. grip strength. pinch pressure. flexibility, arm circumference. triceps skin fold thickness were measured. Data were analyzed for frequency. percentage. t-test using SPSS pc+ program. The results were as follows: 1. $74.4\%$ of subjects was perceived as 'good' in their health status. 2. Mean pulse, mean respiration, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were with in normal limits. There were no statistical differences between men and women in pulse, respiration, systolic and diastolic pressure. 3. Left and right grip strength were 24.89 psi and 25.23psi. The grip strength in men was higher than that of women. It showed statistically difference between men and women in grip strength. 4. Left and right pinch pressure were 7 pound and 7.32 pound. There was statistically difference of pinch pressure between men and women. 5. left flexibility was better than right flexibility of subjects. There was no statistically significant difference between men and women in flexibility. 6. Arm circumference was 24.96cm and there was no statistically significant difference between men and women. 7. Mean skin fold thickness was 12.83 em. Skin fold thickness in men was lower than that of women. It showed statistically difference between men and women. From these results, further study should be considered gender differences in health status of elders and carried in larger sample than this study.