• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.259-267
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to find the relationship between standing posture biomechanics and physical fitness in the elderly. Physical fitness variables and postural variables for 227 (140 women and 87 men) elderly individuals were tested. Physical fitness tests (Korean Institute of Sports Science, 2012) included 3m sit, walk, and return, grip test, 30 second chair sit and stand, sit and reach, figure 8 walks, and 2 minute stationary march. Postural biomechanics variables included resting calcaneal stance position (RCSP), shoulder slope, pelvic slope, knee flexion angle, leg length difference, thoracic angle, and upper body slope. In statistical analysis, multiple regression was conducted by using stepwise selection method via SAS (version 9.2). Analysis for both men and women revealed significant relationships between physical fitness and age, upper body slope, knee flexion angle, leg length difference. Pelvic and thoracic angle were only related to figure 8 walking and sit and reach in women, while RCSP and shoulder slope had no relationship with any physical fitness variables.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.49-58
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of trunk stabilization exercise using swiss ball and core stabilization exercise on balance and gait in elderly women. Methods : Subjects 19 elderly women were randomly divided by the swiss ball exercise group (n=10) and the core stabilization exercise group (n=9). In a period of 4 weeks, they took trunk stabilization exercise using swiss ball and core stabilization exercise for 60 minutes 3 times a week. Balance and gait were measured by Functional Reach Test (FRT), One Leg Stand Test with Open Eye (OLSTOE), One Leg Stand Test with Closed Eye (OLSTCE), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) and 6 m Walking Test (6MWT). These tests were measured at before exercise, 4 weeks after exercise and after the follow-up period of 2 weeks. Results : As a result, in all measurement values there was no significant difference in two groups (p>.05). In FRT, TUG, OLSTOE and 6MWT before exercise and 4 weeks after exercise, there was significant difference in both of two groups (p<.05). Moreover, according to results from 4 weeks after exercise and after the follow-up period of 2 weeks, without any particular exercise, in FRT and 6MWT there was no significant difference (p>.05). Conclusion : These finding indicate that trunk stabilization exercise using swiss ball could improve balance and gait in elderly women. Accordingly, In this study trunk stabilization exercise using swiss ball and core stabilization exercise is judged to be used for elderly people with gait and balance problems to prevent hurts from fall.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to compare the balance and gait between fallers and non-fallers in elderly. A brief questionnaire was used to obtain the fall history. Twenty-seven women subjects were evaluated in this study. Eleven subjects and a mean age of 84.5 years (SD=4.6) were designated as the faller group. Sixteen subjects and a mean age of 80.3 years (SD=5.3) were designated as the non-faller group. The fall-related factors (mental status, balance, range of motion and muscle strength of lower extremity, sensation of foot, and cadence, walking velocity, stride length) were compared between faller group and non-faller group and measured. The results showed that faller group had significantly less range of motion of the hip flexion and knee extension, and strength of the knee extensor and ankle dorsiflexor and plantar flexor than non-faller group. The scores of the Functional reach test and One leg standing were significantly less in faller group than in non-faller group. Faller group showed less walking velocity and stride length compared to non-faller group. However, there was no significant difference in cadence during comfortable waking and fast walking between two groups. There were no significant differences in pressure, position sensory between two groups. These results suggest that exercise for improving the flexibility, muscle strength of the lower extremity and balance may be useful strategies to prevent fall in elderly. Further studies are needed to identify which specific factors are related to fall in the elderly population.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.45-58
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• 1998

This study was carried out to find out general characteristics and health-related behaviors of elders aged 65 or over and factors related to their activities of daily living. and thus to contribute to their health maintenance and promotion. The subjects were 200 elders who had resided at Tae Jean city, with males and females was scaled 1 : 3. To collect data for study, the field survey was conducted from March 20 to October 31, 1997 with questionaire. 1. 65.0% of the subjects were 65-75 years old, while 35.0% were 75 years old or over, 20.5% of them were illterate, 46.5% could read and write Korean. graduated from elementary school, and 11.5% middle school or higher level. 2. 28.5% of subjects perceived their current health status, 46.0% of men and 38.0% of women as fair, In genal elderly men perceived their health status better than elderly women. Among the subjects, 62.0% of men and 57.0% of women reported that they experienced one or more illnesses during the last year. 3. 76.0% of men and 33.0% of women were current smokers. 55.0% of current smokers. 55.0% of current make smokers smoked 11-12 cigarettes per day and 53.2% of current female smokers smoked less than 10 cigarettes per day. 4. 76.0% of men and 37.3% of women drank alchol currently. 5. 56.0% of men and 34.7% of women practiced regular exercise for their health maintenance and promotion. 6. In general, 38.5% of subjects needed other's assistance for doing one or more Activites such as doing heavy home work, Walking up and down stairs or walking half a mile. 7. Common disease of the subjects were hypertention, depenerative arthritis and diabetes mellitus in order.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.38-48
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• 2017

Background: This study was carried out to find out general characteristics and health-related behaviors of elders aged 65 or over and factors related to their activities of daily living, and thus to contribute to their health maintenance and promotion. The subjects were 200 elders who had resided at Cheju city, with males and females was scaled 1 : 3. Methods: To collect data for study, the field survey was conducted from March 20 to October 31, 2016 with questionaire. Results: This study are as follows; 65.0% of the subjects were 65-75 years old, while 35.0% were 75years old or over, 20.5% of them were illterate, 46.5% could read and write Korean, graduated from elementary school, and 11.5% middle school or higher level. 28.5% of subjects perceived their current health status, 46.0% of men and 38.0% of women as fair, In general elderly men perceived their health status better than elderly women. Among the subjects, 62.0% of men and 57.0% of women reported that they experienced one or more illnesses during the last year. 76.0% of men and 33.0% of women were current smokers. 55.0% of current smokers. 55.0% of current make smokers smoked 11-12 cigarettes per day and 53.2% of current female smokers smoked less than 10 cigarettes per day. 76.0% of men and 37.3% of women drank alchol currently. 56.0% of men and 34.7% of women practiced regular exercise for their health maintenance and promotion. In general, 38.5% of subjects needed other's assistance for doing one or more Activites such as doing heavy home work, Walking up and down stairs or walking half a mile. Common disease of the subjects were hypertention, depenerative arthritis and diabetes mellitus in order. Conclusion: This study ADL activity are significant effect.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.1312-1326
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to examine whether the 12-week Nordic walking can improve the physical function and arthritis pain of elderly women with osteoarthritis This study were divided into randomly assigned Nordic Walking Exercise Group (n=9) and Control Group (n=7) for 16 Elderly women diagnosed with Osteoarthritis (age: 73±3.79 year, height: 154.3±4.09 cm). The exercise group used Nordic sticks to carry out 30 minutes of Nordic walking exercise three times a week for 12 weeks, and the kinetic intensity was set at 40-60% of HRR. The control group maintained daily life for the same period. Body composition (weight, percentage body fat, skeletal muscle mass), muscular strength, Flexibility (muscular strength of upper and lower limbs, flexibility of upper and lower limbs), balance ability (static balance, dynamic balance) and pain level were measured as subordinate variables. These indicators were measured twice before and after the exercise program. The study shows that percentage body fat and skeletal muscle mass in the body composition function over 12 weeks of Nordic walking exercise have significant effects after the exercise than before (p=004)(p=.003), and it also shows significant interaction effects between the groups and timings(p=.018)(p=.005). In muscular strength, Flexibility factors, there were significant effects between the groups and timings in the upper limb muscular strength and the lower limb flexibility (p=.009)(p=.036), and a significant difference between the exercise group and the control group(p=.006) in the lower limb muscular strength. In addition, in the upper limb flexibility, there was a more significant difference after the exercise than before(p=.020). There were improvement effects after the exercise than before in the balance ability and the static balance(p=.016), but no difference in the dynamic balance(p>.05). In pain, there was a significant improvement after the exercise than before(p=.022), and a significant difference between the exercise group and the control group(p=.013). In conclusion, the 12-week Nordic walking exercise has positive effects on the body composition functions of the elderly women with Osteoarthritis, and has a positive effect on the improvement of upper limb muscular strength and lower limb flexibility in the health fitness factors. These effects are believed to have contributed effectively to the improvement of the level of pain by contributing to the improvement of physical and motor functions of the elderly women with Osteoarthritis. Therefore, it is considered that Nordic walking exercise, which enhances stability and balance of the patients with Osteoarthritis by using poles, is an effective exercise method for the improvement of the body and motor functions by lowering the pain of the joints and reducing the muscular strength and percentage body fat.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.647-658
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Korean traditional dance movement training on balance, gait and leg strength in elderly women who are forced to remain at home. Fifteen elderly women of an experimental group between the ages 65 and 75 years who have normal vision and passed the hearing and Romberg test, participated in the 12 weeks' dance movement training. Fourteen subjects of a control group were selected. Korean traditional dance movement training was developed on the basis of Korean traditional dance and music by the authors. It took approximately 50 minutes to perform the dance movement program. The subjects of the experimental group practiced dance training for 3 times a week during 12 weeks. During the 50 minutes workout, the subjects practiced 15 minutes of a warm-up dance, 25 minutes of a conditioning dance, and 10 minutes of a cool-down dance. The intensity for the conditioning phase was between 60% and 65% of age-adjusted maximum heart rates. The balance, gait and leg strength were measured prior to and after the experimental treatment. Total balance scores of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group. Scores of sternal nudge, one leg standing balance and reaching up among 13 items have significantly increased after the dance movement training. Total scores of gait of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group following the korean traditional dance movement training. Scores of experimental group in step height, path deviation and turning while walking among 9 items have increased significantly following 12 weeks of dance movement training. The leg strength of experimental group was significantly higher than those of the control group following the Korean traditional dance movement training. The balance, gait and leg strength have significantly correlated in the experimental group following the Korean traditional dance movement training. The results suggest that Korean traditional dance movement training can improve balance, gait and leg strength in home bound elderly women.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.5-23
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• 2002

Purpose: To determine the effect of the Fall Prevention Program(EPP) on gait, balance and muscle strength in elderly women at a nursing home. Method: The subjects of this consisted of 38 elderly women between the ages of 70 to 89 years living at a nursing home located in Seoul. Each of the experimental group and control group was composed of 19 subjects. The subjects in experimental group have participated in FPP for the 8 weeks which consisted of exercise, education and foot care. They started to exercise for 40 minutes per session, 3 sessions a week during the 1st week at 40% of age adjusted maximum heart rate. From the 2nd week to the 4th week, they increased the duration of exercise to 50 minutes per session and the intensity to 60% of age-adjusted maximum heart rate. They participated in 50 minutes at 60% of age-adjusted maximum heart rate from the 5th week to the 8th week. Each exercise session consisted of 10 minutes of warming-up exercise, 30 minutes of conditioning exercise and 10 minutes of cooling-down exercise. They participated in education for 20 minutes per week from the 1st week to the 4th week. Then they participated in a 30-minute foot care program per week from the 5th week to the 8th week. Gait, balance and muscle strength for each subject were measured before and after FPP. Gait was evaluated by step length, step width, gait speed and walking distance. Balance was measured by the duration of standing on one leg with their eyes closed and open each, and a get-up and go test. Grip strength was measured by hand dynamometer. Hip extensor and flexor strength, knee extensor and flexor strength and ankle plantarflexor and dorsiflexor strength were measured by manual muscle tester. Data was analyzed using SPSS form Windows. t-test and Chi square test were utilized as a homogeneity test. Repeated measure ANOVA was used to test the effect of FPP. Result: 1) Step width significantly decreased, and step length, gait speed and walking distance significantly increased in the experimental group compared with the control group after FPP(p<0.005). 2) There was no significant change in standing time on one leg with their eyes closed after FPP. The standing time on leg with their eyes open and the time of "get-up and go" significantly decreased in the experimental group compared with the control group after FPP(p<0.005). 3) Muscle strength-grip strength, hip extensor and flexor strength-significantly increased in the experimental group compared with the control group after FPP(p<0.005). 4) There was no significant difference of frequency of fall between the experimental group and control group during the period of FPP. Conclusion: These results suggest that FPP can increase gait, balance and muscle strength of elderly women at a nursing home.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.17-25
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• 2018

Purpose: Korean society is undergoing the rapid increase and poverty of elderly population. Therefore, the appropriate supply and planning of public rental housing for the low-income elderly is more important. The purpose of this study is to present the basic data for the study and planning of the elderly housing complex by analyzing the cognitive characteristics of the elderly residing in the rental housing. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted to identify health characteristics of the elderly living in the 'Gongreung SH Apartment'. 100 random samples were collected and 82 valid samples were analysed. Statistical analysis was performed using Excel and R for the age, sex, health, outdoor walking frequency and characteristics of Cognitive map of the elderly. Results: The characteristics of cognitive map were classified into point shapes and linear shapes. The linear group was lower in average age than the point group and tended to draw the map wider. The wider the map was, the more the number of elements in cognitive map was. The number of elements on the cognitive map decreased as respondents' age increased. On the other hand it was not related to residence period and gender of the elderly. Implication: The cognitive extent of the residential environment tends to decrease with age. Men's cognitive range is wider than women's. There is no corelation between the number of cognitive elements and cognitive map type. Men tend to have a systematic image of city, whereas women focus on relational and social urban factors. For sustainable apartment complex design, various characteristics of the group including men and women, different age and different health status should be considered.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.11 no.10
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• pp.3726-3732
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of health exercise program to old Women's walking ability, depression and WHOQOL-BREF. Data were collected from April to June, 2007 from the falls experienced 70 women elderly. All subjects participated in 12 week health exercise program which was designed in order to develop walking ability. The data were analyzed using frequency, %, paired t-test. The results of this study were as followings; First, there was significant differences in the average time of chair stand (t=2.291, p=.025), one leg standing(Rt. leg)(t=2.236, p=.029), step length between before and after(t=4.015, p=.000) training of 12 week health exercise program. Second, there was non significant differences in depression(t=1.044, p=.300) but, significant differences in WHOQOL-BREF(t=3.528, p=.001). The WHOQOL-BREF in general quality of life(t=2.923, p=.005), physical(t=3.039, p=.003), psychological(t=2.481, p=.016), social(t=2.531, p=.014) and environment domain(t=4.259, p=.000) were significant differences. The results suggest that the 12 week health exercise program can improve the muscle endurance and balance, QOL.