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Abstract
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Summary
Background
Older adults with deteriorating health and limited activity levels spend most of their leisure time sitting on the floor; this indicates the need for preventive programs to increase the accessibility of exercise. We developed a floor-seated exercise program (FSEP) for them and examined its effect.
Methods
A randomized comparison of pre-and post-test design was used with 77 participants assigned to either an exercise group (n = 39 in three clusters) or control group (n = 38 in three clusters) in six senior community centers. The final sample included 33 participants who completed the FSEP for 12 weeks, and 30 control participants. The exercise group participated in the FSEP four days a week; they were provided direct and videotaped instruction respectively for two days each by a peer volunteer at the senior community center to which the participants' belonged.
Results
Adjusted analysis revealed that the 12-week FSEP was significantly effective in enhancing muscle strength (p < 0.005) and shoulder flexibility (p = 0.001), except in the non-dominant side wrist muscle strength and shoulder flexibility. Further, it reduced depression (p = 0.001), but had no significant effect on sleep quality (p = 0.087).
Conclusion
FSEP should be adopted as a health promotion program at senior community centers for South Korean older adults.
Language: en |