The Effects of One Year Exercise Program on Exercise Capacity & Cognitive Function in Male Patients with Dementia

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effects of long-term exercise program on exercise capacity and cognitive function (MMSE) in male patients with dementia. 24 male patients were divided into two experimental groups : the exercise group (n=12) and the control group (n=12). The exercise group participated in regular exercise program for 12 months, and their exercise capacity (cardiopulmonary function, muscle strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, balance, agility) and MMSE (Mini-mental state examination) levels were evaluated at baseline (pre), after 6 months (mid) and after 12 months (post). The subjects carried on group-exercise of $VO_{2}max\;30\~60\%$, $30\~60$ minute a day, $2\~3$ times per week. Statistical techniques for data analysis was paired samples t-test. The level of statistical significance was ${\le}.05.$ The results of this study were summarized as follows: In the exercise group, there were significant differences in cardiopulmonary function, muscle strength, muscular endurance and MMSE at the times of pre & mid and pre & post, there were significant differences in balance and agility at the time of pre & post only, whereas there was no significant difference in flexibility following the long-term exercise. In the control group, there were no significant differences in all the times. Based on the results of this particular study, one year exercise program increases on the cognitive function & exercise capacity in male patients with dementia.

1년간의 복합 운동프로그램이 남성 치매환자의 운동능력과 인지기능에 미치는 영향

1년간의 운동이 남성 치매환자의 운동능력과 인지기능에 미치는 영향을 연구한 결과, 운동군의 경우 심폐지구력, 근력, 근지구력 및 MMSE는 운동전에 비해 운동중과 운동후 유의하게 증가하였고, 평형성과 민철성은 운동후 유의하게 증가하였으나 유연성은 유의한 차이가 없었다. 반면, 통제군은 모든 시기에서 유의한 차이가 나타나지 않았다. 이상의 결과를 볼 때, 1년간의 운동은 남성 치매환자의 운동능력과 인지기능을 향상시켜 환자들에게 자신감과 성취감을 얻을 수 있는 기회를 주었고, 나아가 독립적인 일상생활을 영위하고 삶의 질을 높이는데 크게 이바지 할 것으로 기대된다.