노인의 발둥굽힘 관절가동범위와 보행에 대한 자가 신장 운동의 효과

The Effect of Self-Streching Exercise on the Ankle Dorsiflexion Range of Motion and Gait of Older Women

  • 최보경 (서남대학교 대학원 물리치료학과) ;
  • 김종만 (서남대학교 보건학부 물리치료학과)
  • Choi, Bo-Kyung (Dept. of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Seonam University) ;
  • Kim, Jong-Man (Dept. of Physical Therapy, Division of Health, Seonam University)
  • 투고 : 2008.04.28
  • 심사 : 2008.08.30
  • 발행 : 2008.09.17

초록

The range of motion (ROM) of ankle dorsiflexion in older women was associated with gait abnormalities and the risk of falls. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of self-stretching exercise on the flexibility of the plantar flexors of the ankle and the characteristics of gait in healthy elderly women. Fifteen participants were assigned randomly into an exercise (n=8) or control (n=7) group. The exercise group attended a self-stretching program approximately 30 minutes for 3 days per week for 4 weeks. The active ankle dorsiflexion ROM and gait measurements were taken prior to beginning the stretching program and 1 day after the last stretching day. Results showed that the active ankle dorsiflexion ROM was significantly increased in the exercise group than in the control group after the stretching program (p<.05). However, gait parameters, including gait speed, cadence, and stride length were not significantly different between the two groups (p>.05). The results suggest that a 4-week self-stretching program is capable of provoking a significant increase in ankle dorsiflexion ROM in elderly, community-dwelling women. Additional research is needed to investigate the effect of gait-specific exercise combined with stretching exercise on gait ability.

키워드