• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.620-628
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose was to identify the effects of a Tai Chi exercise program on physical fitness, fall related perception and health status among institutionalized elderly. Methods: A quasi-experimental research was carried out with a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. There were 23 subjects in the experimental group and 24 in the control group. The data was gathered by structured questionnaires about fall related perception, and health status. Physical fitness was measured by an exercise therapist with a blind principle. Results: At the completion of the 12 weeks Tai Chi exercise program, flexibility (F=4.50, p=.00), and ability to balance (F=3.27, p=.00) had increased significantly. Fall related perception showed significant improvement in the fear of falling (F=-3.52, p=.00). Physical functioning (F=3.38, p=.00), role limitation-physical (F=2.67, p=.01), role limitation-emotional (F=2.47, p=.02). and general health (F=3.88, p=.00) in health status showed significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion: The study findings revealed Tai Chi exercise as a useful nursing intervention for elderly that enhances flexibility and balance, decreases fall related perception and also increases the health status. Further research is warranted to compare the potential effects of Tai Chi exercise and its health benefits from other types of exercise or martial arts.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.389-394
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of combined exercise program on fall-related physical fitness and pain response in elderly people. Fall-related physical fitness consisted of the 7 performance test items by Senior Fitness Test Manual. Pain response was measured by visual analog scale (VAS sore: 0=no pain, 10=extremely unsatisfactory). The combined exercise program was performed for about one hour per day, 4 times a week over a period of 10 weeks. As the result of this study, flexibility, agility, and right balance were significantly increased. The various characteristics of pain were considerably improved on pain symptom, leg pain when walking, pain symptom when sitting, and pain symptom in daily living. In conclusion, there has been a substantial improvement in 10 weeks by combined exercise program.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.33-42
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• 2017

Purpose: This study examined the effects of the fumanet exercise program on the cognitive function and fall down-related physical fitness factor in elderly people. Method: The study period was May 2-June 24, 2016. The participants included 20 elderly persons (control group 10, experimental group 10) who registered at the day-care Center in G. City. Descriptive statistics were used for the analysis of the control and experimental groups' general characteristics. The chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests were conducted to identify the two groups' general characteristics' and dependent variables' homogeneity. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the pre-and post-intervention cognitive function and fall down-related physical fitness factor, and a Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze the rate of cognitive function and fall down-related physical fitness factor changes between the groups after the intervention. Result: The participants' fall down-related physical fitness factors (balance, gait, leg strength) increased and memory in the cognitive function sub-area improved in the participants who participated in the fumanet exercise program. The amount of change in gait was significantly different between the control and experimental groups. Conclusion: The fumanet exercise program included gait training using the learn, remember and repeat phased steps. Therefore, this study proposes using the fumanet exercise program to improve the elderly's cognitive function and physical fitness factor.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 2018

PURPOSE: This study investigated the relationship between the daily physical activity level and fall-proof-related fitness in older female adults. METHODS: This study promoted and sampled the subjects who participated in the study for 2 weeks, and developed a basic information questionnaire to select the subjects to be excluded from the research. The amount of energy expenditure through daily physical activity was examined, and the elderly physical fitness, and balance test were analyzed. The subjects were divided into group A (${\geq}1,500kcal/week$), group B (<$1,500-{\geq}1,000kcal/week$), and group C (<1,000 kcal/week) according to their daily physical activity level. RESULTS: A significant difference in the daily physical activity level (energy expenditure), Chair Stand Test (lower body strength), 8-Foot Up-and Go Test (dynamic balance), and CTSIB-M (modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction in Balance) was observed among groups A, B, and C (p<.5), but there was no significant difference in the Chair Sit-and-Reach Test (lower body flexibility) (p>.5). CONCLUSION: The increase in physical activity is an essential factor for preventing falls and it provides many health benefits for the elderly. On the other hand, considering that elderly people cannot access exercise programs easily in Korea, it can be predicted that increasing elderly people's physical activity in daily life rather than specific exercises may help prevent falls.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.119-129
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• 2024

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a low-intensity combined exercise program on daily physical fitness parameters such as balance, flexibility, muscle strength, and fear of falling of elderly women in the community. METHODS: This study assigned 30 elderly women randomly into two groups: The control and experimental groups. The control group (n = 15) underwent routine gait. The experimental group (n = 15) underwent the low-intensity combined exercise. The exercise program in this study comprising combined exercise, including balance, flexibility, muscle strength training, and the exercise program using props was conducted twice a week for 8 weeks. RESULTS: The average age of the control and experimental groups was 77.27 years and 78.33 years, respectively. There were significant differences in static balance (t = -4.167, p < .001), dynamic balance (t = 2.463, p < .001), (t = -3.870, p < .001), (t = -2.262, p < .001), (t = -5.732, p < .001), (t = -6.573, p < .001), and fear of falling (t = -5.129, p < .001). CONCLUSION: The results show that low-intensity combined exercise is an effective intervention that improves physical health fear of falling in older women. The combined exercise program was found to be more effective in terms of physical function and fall-related psychological function compared to the control group that only walked.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.625-634
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• 2022

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between physical activity (PA) level and functional fitness (FF) parameters in community-dwelling older adults aged 65 or above in Korea. Subjects' (M: 1,645; F: 2,394) PA level were assessed using a questionnaire. The subjects were divided into two groups: one below the recommended level of PA(LPA) and one above the recommended level (PA). PA was further classified by intensity level into medium- and high-intensity PA (MIPA and HIPA respectively) groups. FF was assessed based on six test items representing the following fitness areas: lower and upper body strength, agility and dynamic balance, flexibility, aerobic capacity, coordination, and body composition. Of the subjects, 36% met the recommended level of PA. Both MIPA and HIPA were superior to LPA in all FF items(p<.05). The HIPA group was significantly better in terms of agility and dynamic balance, coordination, and lower body strength (only in women) than was the MIPA group(p<.05). In conclusion, PA above the recommended level is needed to maintain functional fitness. In addition, HIPA seems to promote fall-related functional fitness and should be encouraged when safe and feasible.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.107-120
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• 2009

Background : To estimate fall incidence rate and associated factors in inpatients from a general hospital. Method : The data were collected from 104 fall incident reports developed by the patient safety committee in a general hospital in Seoul from 01 January 2007 to 31 December 2008. Information included general characteristics of patients, factors related to fall, types, places, circumstances and outcomes of fall. Result : The incidence rate of fall, which was 4.4 per 1,000 total discharged patients and 0.5 per 1,000 patient-days, was much lower than that of several hospitals in the United States. The difference may reflect the different incidence reporting system of each hospital. Fall-prone patients were, in general, $$\geq_-$$65 years of age, had an alert mental status, were ambulatory with some assistance, and were dependent on and ambulatory device. High incidence of falls was associated with patients with circulatory disease. The majority of fall events usually occurred in bed or at the bedside in the patient's room, and occurred more often during the night than during the day or evening. Risk factors of fall were use of drugs (antihypertensive or neuropsychiatric drugs) and environmental factors (e.g., overly high bed height, surrounding objects, inadequate fitness shoes and slippery floor). Physical injury occurred in 43.3% of fall events, which typically required diagnosis of injury and treatment such as suturing. Risk factors for repeated falls were use of a neuropsychiatric drug (odds ratio=13.9) and gait disturbance (odds ratio=91.2). Risk factors for fall-related injury were alert mental status (odds ratio=3.3 times more likely to fall than those who were drowsy or in a stupor) and general weakness(odds ratio=3.3 times more likely to fall than those who were not generally weak). Conclusion : Medical and nursing staff should be aware of the fall risk factors of hospitalized patients and should intensively pursue preventative strategies. Development of fall prevention education based on these results is recommended.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.334-342
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Tai Chi exercise on flexibility, balance, walking ability, muscle strength, bone mineral density, and fracture risk in institutionalized elders. Method: A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a nonequivalent comparison group was utilized, and 53 older adults living in one institution were recruited and assigned to one of two groups, experimental group (18) or comparison (20). Both groups completed posttest measures at 6 months. There was a 31% rate of dropouts. Tai Chi exercise was provided twice a week for 24 weeks. Outcome measurements were conducted by a physiotherapist at a university hospital health promotion center who did not know the group assignment. Results: At 6 months, the experimental group had significantly greater grip strength(t=2.12, p=.04), back muscle strength (t=2.42, p=.02), balance (t=5.31, p<001), and flexibility (t=3.57, p<.001). They also showed significantly greater bone mineral density of lumbar spine and femur, and reduced fracture risk. Conclusion: Tai Chi exercise was safely and effectively used with institutionalized elders for 6 months and significantly improved physical fitness, bone mineral density along with a reduction in fracture risk. Whether Tai Chi exercise would lead to prevention of fall episodes and fall related fractures in this population will require further study.

• 한국노년학
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.1247-1259
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• 2009

Muscle mass is reduced by aging. There seems to be no direct relationship between sarcopenia(muscle loss) and medical cost in the elderly, but lowering muscle mass results in increase risk of fall and decrease of strength, fitness, physical activity, and independent life. This is coupled with physical trouble and chronic degenerative disease such as diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension. Thus, sarcopenia is potential risk factor increasing mortality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of elastic band exercise and detraining on sarcopenia prevention related variables, body composition and fitness. The subject of this study was 60~70 aged 14 seniors who participated in exercise program in J-welfare senior center at J-gu in S-city. Elastic band exercise was performed twice per week for 12 weeks. The body composition and fitness variables were measured before 12 weeks of control, after control(before exercise), after 12 weeks of exercise(before detraining), and after 12 weeks of detraining. There was no significant difference in body composition and fitness variables before and after 12 weeks of control, but elastic band exercise before and after 12 weeks has effect on body composition variables such as weight (t=2.978, p=0.001), body mass index (t=3.502, p=0.004), percent body fat (t=2.216, p=0.045), muscle mass (t=-3.837, p=0.002), visceral fat area (t=5.186, p<0.001), and waist-hip ratio (t=3.045, p=0.009) and on fitness variables such as 2-minutes step (t=-6.891 p<0.001), arm curl (t=-4.702, p<0.001), chair stand (t=-4.860, p<0.001), chair sit and reach (t=-5.910, p<0.001), back scratch (t=-3.835, p=0.002), and 8-ft up and go (t=7.560, p<0.001). This exercise effect was continued after 12 weeks of detraining on body composition variables such as weight (t=2.323, p=0.037), body mass index (t=2.503, p=0.026), muscle mass (t=-3.137, p=0.008) and on fitness variables such as 2-minutes step (t=-6.489 p<0.001), chair stand (t=-4.694, p<0.001), chair sit and reach (t=-3.690, p=0.003), and 8-ft up and go (t=7.539, p<0.001). It was found that the elastic band exercise has positive effect on body composition and fitness in the elderly and the effect was maintained over 12 weeks of detraining.