• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.205-213
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of somatosensory input on the gait ability and equilibrium sensory of elderly women. The subjects who participated in this study were 31 elderly women with a mean age of 75 years or older who no using a walking stick and had no abnormality in otolaryngology. The control group consisted of 30 elderly women who did not exercise regularly more than twice a week. Dependent variables consisted of 2.44m timed up and go test, 10m usual gait, 10m fast gait and 6minute gait. The equilibrium sensory test was performed using EquiTest (NeuroCom, USA). The results of the study on gait ability were not statistically significant for 2.44m timed up and go test, and 10m usual gait. However, 10m fast gait (P<.001) and 6min gait (P<.05) showed significant differences. According to the results of the study on equilibrium sensory ability, there was no significant difference between Condition 1 and Condition 5 however Condition 2 (P<.01), Condition 3 (P<.01), Condition 4(P<.01) and Condition 6 (P<.05) showed statistically significant differences. In conclusion, walking stick have beneficial effects on walking and equilibrium sensation, and elderly women need to actively use walking stick when going out and walking.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.167-172
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate walking standard time and joint powers of the lower extremities on the changes of illuminations in the elderly women. Ten older women ($70.90{\pm}3.28$ years, $154.70{\pm}3.47$ cm, $53.80{\pm}5.39$ kg) with normal vision and no gait disabilities participated in this study. All the experiments were performed on a level walkway from low to high lighting (six conditions). A 3-dimensional motion capturing system, force-plate, and EMG were used to acquire and analyze walking motion, force, and muscle activity data; the sampling frequency was 100 Hz, 1000 Hz and 1000 Hz respectively. To test the differences on walking standard time and joint powers of the lower extremities between the six lighting conditions, one-way repeated ANOVAs were evaluated. The following results were drawn: First, mean standard time was about 1.3 sec/stride, and velocities were smaller with lighting increasing except 100 Lx. Second, the joint power patterns of ankle and knee were not consistent, but only hip joint power was a greatest in 6 Lx and a smallest in 400 Lx. Third, standard times(100 Lx<300 Lx, 400 Lx) were statistically significant, and hip joint max powers (100 Lx>others) were also statistically significant. But ankle and knee joint max power were not statistically significant. These results showed that standard times from low to high lighting were not consistent, and hip joint of 100 Lx has a greatest rotational torque. We suggested that gait strategies of them as to changing illuminations were not consistent and findings may represent a lack of adaptability in the elderly women.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2664-2671
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• 2012

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between physical characteristics and walking ability in the elderly population. Subjects were 77 elderly (38 men and 39 women) who are capable of walking independently with and without walking aids. Correlation and stepwise multiple linear regression analyses were used to analyze the relationship between physical characteristics (age, gender, height, weight, body mass index, muscle mass, waist/hip ratio, heart rate, vital capacity, flexibility, maximum oxygen consumption, one-leg standing time, and strength of knee flexor and extensor) and walking velocity of subjects. Age, height, vital capacity, one-leg standing time, and strength of knee flexor and extensor showed significant correlations with walking velocity of subjects (p<.05). Further, the strength of knee flexor explained 27% of the variance, and up to 32% of the walking velocity could be explained when the strength of knee extensor were added to the model. The findings suggest that walking velocity of elderly depends on the strength of lower limb's strength and a variety of physical characteristics.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.189-198
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• 2021

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of biomechanical variables on gait according to indoor and outdoor environmental conditions in elderly women at risk of falling. Method: 26 elderly women aged 70 years or older, and consisted of 13 elderly people with a walking speed of less 1.0 m/s and 13 people in the fall risk group as normal groups. Depending on the purpose of the study, physical examination and psychological questionnaire were prepared, and then walking was performed in an indoor/outdoor environment, and the gait pattern, muscle activity, and plantar pressure results were compared and analyzed in the elderly females through a 2 group × 2 environment 2-way repeted ANOVA analysis. Results: The gait variable showed an interaction effect the cadence. The muscle variables showed interaction effects in the rectus femoris and tibialis anterior muscles, and the interaction effects of the plantar pressure variables were confirmed in the forefoot and midfoot of the contact area, and the midfoot of the mean pressure. Conclusion: These results indicate that both groups are exposed to falls risk when gait in an outdoor environment, but the fall risk group has a higher risk of falls in both the gait pattern, muscle activity, and plantar pressure variables. The results of this study are considered to be helpful as basic data and development of exercise programs to prevent falls.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.133-140
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• 2017

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between center of pressure (CoP) and local stability of the lower joints, which was calculated based on approximate entropy (ApEn) during walking in elderly women. Method: Eighteen elderly women were recruited (age: $66.4{\pm}1.2yrs$; mass: $55.4{\pm}8.3kg$; height: $1.56{\pm}0.04m$) for this study. Before collecting data, reflective marker triads composed of 3 non-collinear spheres were attached to the lateral surface of the thigh and shank near the mid-segment to measure motion of the thigh and shank segments. To measure foot motion, reflective markers were placed on the shoe at the heel, head of the fifth metatarsal, and lateral malleolus, and were also placed on the right anterior-superior iliac spine, left anterior-superior iliac spine, and sacrum to observe pelvic motion. During treadmill walking, kinematic data were recorded using 6 infrared cameras (Oqus 300, Qualisys, Sweden) with a 100 Hz sampling frequency and kinetic data were collected from a treadmill (Instrumented Treadmill, Bertec, USA) for 20 strides. From kinematic data, 3D angles of the lower extremity's joint were calculated using Cardan technique and then ApEn were computed for their angles to evaluate local stability. Range of CoP was determined from the kinetic data. Pearson product-moment and Spearman rank correlation coefficient were applied to find relationship between CoP and ApEn. The level of significance was determined at p<.05. Results: There was a negative linear correlation between CoP and ApEn of hip joint adduction-abduction motion (p<.05), but ApEn of other joint motion did not affect the CoP. Conclusion: It was conjectured that ApEn, local stability index, for adduction/abduction of the hip joint during walking could be useful as a fall predictor.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.906-915
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of aquatic walking exercise on body composition, hs-CRP, HOMA-IR, and blood pressure in obese elderly women. Twenty, obese elderly women[percent body fat(%BF) < 30%] composed of aquatic walking exercise group(EX, n=10), the control group(CON, n=10). The variables of body composition, hs-CRP, HOMA-IR, and blood pressure were measured in all the subjects pre and post of 12 weeks aquatic walking exercise(RPE 11-14, 3 times per week, 50 mins). The test data were analyzed by paired t-test and repeated ANOVA, and the alpha level of p<.05 was set for all tests of significance. %BF (p<.05), insulin (p<.01), HOMA-IR (p<.01) and SBP (p<.05) were significantly decreased in EX group compared to CON group. These results suggest that 12 weeks of aquatic walking exercise improves %BF, HOMA-IR, and blood pressure. Thus, this proposed aquatic walking exercise modality can be a useful therapy to improve both obese and cardiovascular disease in obese elderly women.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.84-90
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to assess the test-retest reliability of heart rate (HR) and velocity measurements during peak effort and free treadmill walking tests in older patients with gait-impaired chronic hemiparetic stroke and control group. Twenty-two adults (13 men, 9 women; mean age, $73.7{\pm}5.2$ yrs) with chronic hemiparetic stroke are the experimental group. Nineteen elderly people (5 men, 14 women; mean age, $72.3{\pm}3.5$ yrs) were recruited as control group. Patients had mild to moderate chronic hemiparetic gait deficits, making handrail support necessary during treadmill walking. Free and peak effort treadmill walking tests were measured and then repeated at least two days later. Reliability was calculated from HR and walking velocity during free and peak effort treadmill walking test. Among the people who had strokes, HR [ICC(2,1)=.85, r=.86] and velocity [ICC(2,1)=.93, r=.93] were good parameters during free testing. Maximal testing generated good results for HR [ICC(2,1)=.81, r=.82] and velocity [ICC(2,1)=.96, r=.96] with the chronic hemiparetic stroke. In elderly people, HR [ICC(2,1)=.59, r=.62] and velocity [ICC(2,1)=.77, r=.76] were moderately reliable during free testing. Maximal testing produced moderate parameters for HR [ICC(2,1)=.74, r=.74] and velocity [ICC(2,1)=.66, r=.66] in the elderly. This study provides that free and maximal treadmill testing produce highly reliable HR and velocity measurements in adults with chronic hemiplegia using minimal handrail support.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.1669-1677
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 14-week proprioceptive resistance exercise on muscle endurance strength, dynamic balance and gait ability of elderly women in a social welfare facility. Thirty community dwelling elderly subjects (mean age 70.84±3.33) divided into experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. The participants performed the muscle endurance strength(30sec hair stand), dynamic balance (3m up and go) and low extremity performance (10m walking, 400m walking) pre and after the training program. The exercise groups were submitted to 14 weeks proprioceptive training with a Swiss ball three times a week. As a results were as follow. Significantly improvements were observed in low extremity strength and dynamic balance. And there have significantly improvements in 10m walking, 400m walking. Conclusionly, the improvement of dynamic balance and gait ability by proprioceptive resistance training will reduce the possibility in female elderly people.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.458-467
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was object to the effects of a resistance exercise combined with relaxation therapy on blood pressure, frequency of exercise and physical fitness in elderly women. Methods: Seventy three elderly women participated in an exercise program for 12 months. The exercise program consisted of stretching, massage and resistance training using thera-bands twice a week and 50 minutes in every sessions each week. Repeated measures ANOVA were performed using SAS. Results: After the exercise program there was a significant difference in systolic blood pressure, frequency of exercise, body fat, sitting to standing, walking 2 minutes, sitting on a chair and reaching, and standing on one leg with eyes opened. After 6 months, there was a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure and significant increase in frequency of exercise, body fat, sitting to standing and standing on one leg with eyes opened. In 12 months, there was a significant increase in body fat, 2 minutes walking, and sitting in a chair and reaching. Conclusion: Resistance exercise combined with muscle relaxation therapy would have a positive effect on elderly women. We found that it was helpful for the elderly women in terms of physical fitness.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.1318-1332
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of walk training on leg strength, flexibility, postural stability, balance and gait in home bound elderly women. Eighteen elderly women of the experimental group aged between 70 and 90 years image who have normal vision, hearing and Romberg test. They participated in the 12 week walk training. The subjects of the experimental group practiced walk training 3 times a week for during 12 weeks. During the 40 minute workout, the subjects practiced 5 minutes of warming-up exercises, 30 minutes of conditioning exercises and 10 minutes of a cool-down exercise. The intensity for the conditioning phase was determined by subject' heart rates, which ranged from 60% to 70% of age-adjusted maximum heart rates. The body composition, leg strength, flexibility, postural stability, balance and gait were measured prior to and after the experimental treatment. The body fat, lean body mass, leg strength (ankle dorsiflexor, plantarflexor, inversor and eversir, knee flexor, extensior), flexibility (range of motion of ankle dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, inversion and eversion), and postural stability of the experimental group were significantly greater than those of the control group. Duration of standing on the right foot and that of standing on the left foot of the experimental group was greater than that of the control group. Total balance scores of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group. Among 13 items for balance, the scores of experimental group in balance with eyes closes, turning balance, sternal nudge, neck turning, one leg standing balance and back extension were higher than those of the control group. Total scores of gait of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group following the walking training. Scores of experimental group in step height, step length and walk stance while walking among 9 items for gait were significantly higher than those of the control group. The results suggest that walk training can improve physical fitness for prevention in home bound elderly women.