• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.65-72
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• 2011

Since walking and physical activity are critical for older adults to maintain their health, it is important to provide neighborhood environments which encourage their walking in daily life. The purposes of the present study were to investigate walking activity patterns of older people in an urban setting and to identify environmental correlates with walking of older adults. This study examined spatial and temporal patterns of physical activities, environmental barriers and motivations, satisfaction levels and demands on the physical environment. In-depth interviews with older adults over age sixty residing in Seoul metropolitan areas revealed that most respondents have a positive perception on walking in daily life, and many of them walk regularly for their health. A primary purpose of walking for older adults was exercise for health rather than transportation. The study result demonstrated that parks and trails were the most preferred places for walking by older adults, and there is an association between frequency of walking participation and access or convenience to parks, traffic safety, and street lights. Most respondents were concerned about traffic safety when they walk in their neighborhoods due to traffic speeds and unsafe streets. Lack of separate sidewalks or benches, stairs and slopes were barriers to older adults' walking habits. This data suggests that the promotion of walking behavior among older adults, some level of public health action, and community support are needed to ensure safe physical environments within communities.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.183-190
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a walking program on body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose in community-dwelling older adults. Method: A quasi-experimental research design (one group pretest-posttest) was employed. Participants were recruited in Seoul and a total of 57 community-dwelling older adults completed the 10-week walking program. Descriptive statistics and paired t-tests were used in the data analysis by SPSS WIN 14.0. Result: The participants showed lower BMI, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, cholesterol level, and blood glucose level after than before participation in the walking program. Body mass index significantly decreased (t= 2.911, p= .005) after completing the walking program. There were, however, no significant changes in blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose after completing the walking program. Conclusion: Findings of this study indicated that the 10-week walking program had favorable effect on BMI. Future research needs to target various older adult groups during a long-term period.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.19-24
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• 2017

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to find out the difference motion of hip, knee and ankle joint during walking according to using walker on older people. Method : Korean older people of 34 subjects was participated in this study. Participants was measured joint motion on hip, knee and ankle joint during both conditions (walking with walker and without walker). The measured data were analyzed using independent t-test to investigate the difference of joint motion on the both condition. The statistical analyses were performed using Predictive Analytics Soft Ware (PASW) for windows(Ver. 19) and p-value less than .05 were considered significant for all cases. Result : The study showed that more joint motion on hip flexion and ankle pronation is increased by using walker. And hip extension, knee external rotation and ankle plantar flexion is decreased by using walker. Conclusion : This study suggest that using walker on older people was change the motion of the lower limb joint during walking. Therefore, It is necessary to develop a new walker that can reduce dependency and ensure stability on older people during walking.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.152-162
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• 2024

Objective: This study was conducted to analyze the effect of wearable Electromyography-controlled functional electrical stimulation (EMG-controlled FES) System on Gait Function and cardiopulmonary metabolic efficiency during walking in older adults. Design: Cross-section study Methods: Total 22 older adult participants suitable to selection criteria of this study participated in this study. The EMG-controlled FES System, which functions as a wearable physical activity assist FES system was used. All participations performed randomly assigned two conditions (Non-FES assist [NFA], FES assist [FA]) of walking. In all conditions, spatio-temporal parameters and kinematics and kinetics parameters during walking was collected via 3D motion capture system and 6 minutes walking test (6MWT) and metabolic cost during walking and stairs climbing was collected via a portable metabolic device (COSMED K5, COSMED Srl, Roma, Italy). Results: In Spatio-temporal parameters aspects, The EMG-controlled FES system significantly improved gait functions measurements of older adults with sarcopenia at walking in comparison to the NFA condition (P<0.05). Hip, knee and ankle joint range of motion increased at walking in FA condition compared to the NFA condition (P<0.05). In the FA condition, moment and ground reaction force was changed like normal gait during walking of older adults in comparison to the NFA condition (P<0.05). The EMG-controlled FES system significantly reduced net cardiopulmonary metabolic energy cost, net energy expenditure measurement at stairs climbing (P<0.05). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that EMG-controlled FES is a potentially useful gait-assist system for improving gait function by making joint range of motion and moment properly.

• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.59-66
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• 2015

The objective of this study was to investigate the perception of walking environment and use of neighborhood facilities of rural female elderly, who are the most susceptible to ambulatory problems. The study showed that parks, senior centers and hospitals were among the most frequently used neighborhood facilities by rural female elderly, while bus stations and senior centers were recognized as the closest facilities. Frequency of use was higher for paid sports facilities rather than parks. Hospitals and health centers were facilities that were desired to be in close proximity. Social support, self-efficacy, and attitude were the factors that affected walking environment. Street trees, accessibility to parks, and street lights were factors that showed a positive relationship with total time of walking activity while perceived crime rate and slopes were perceived as environmental challenges for groups that walked under 150 minutes per week. One factor that negatively affected walking was the lack of sidewalks on streets. Providing parks and walking trails within neighborhood, pleasant walking environments, and safe sidewalks would contribute to improved perception of neighborhood and walking of older rural women.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.517-525
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• 2022

Objective: The rehabilitation protocols for functional recovery have been emphasized after total knee arthroplasty, and Pilates is in the spotlight as a safe and easily modified exercise method. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of mat Pilates exercise on lower extremity function, postural balance, and walking in the individuals with total knee arthroplasty. Design: One group pretest-posttest design. Methods: Eighteen older women with unilateral total knee arthroplasty was recruited in the study. The subjects were evaluated on lower extremity function, postural balance, and walking before and after mat Pilates exercise. All subject performed one hour mat Pilates exercise, 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Mat Pilates exercises were focused on core stability and lower extremity strengthening and, more dynamic movements were added to increase the difficulty of movements every two weeks. The lower extremity function was measured using the Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), knee joint position sense, and five times sit-to-stand test. Postural balance was assessed by single leg stance test, functional reach test, and timed up and go test. Walking was measured by OptoGait system to temporospatial parameter. Results: The lower extremity function, postural balance, and walking were significantly improved after mat Pilates exercise, except for five times sit-to-stand test (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the mat Pilates exercise was a useful method to improve lower extremity function, postural balance, and walking in the older women with unilateral total knee arthroplasty.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.565-576
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Various accelerometer equations are used to predict energy expenditure (EE). On the other hand, the development of these equations and their validation studies have been conducted primarily without including older adults. This study assessed the accuracy of 8 ActiGraph accelerometer equations to predict the energy cost of walking in older adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Thirty-one participants with a mean age of 74.3 ± 3.3 yrs were enrolled in this study (20 men and 11 women). The participants completed 8 walking activities, including 5 treadmill and 3 self-paced walking activities. The EE was measured using a portable indirect calorimeter, with each participant simultaneously wearing the ActiGraph accelerometer. Eight ActiGraph equations were assessed for accuracy by comparing the predicted EE with indirect calorimetry results. RESULTS: All equations resulted in an overall underestimation of the EE across the activities (bias -1 to -1.8 kcal·min^-1 and -0.7 to -1.8 metabolic equivalents [METs]), as well as during treadmill-based (bias -1.5 to -2.9 kcal·min^-1 and -0.9 to -2.1 METs) and self-paced (bias -1.2 to -1.7 kcal·min-1 and -0.2 to -1.3 METs) walking. In addition, there were higher rates of activity intensity misclassifications, particularly among vigorous physical activities. CONCLUSIONS: The ActiGraph equations underestimated the EE for walking activities in older adults. In addition, these equations inaccurately classified the activities based on their intensities. The present study suggests a need to develop ActiGraph equations specific to older adults.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.99-105
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aims to develop a shared forest walking program and verify its effects on self-esteem, life satisfaction, and depression among older adults living alone in rural communities. Methods: Participants were assigned to an experimental or a control group, with 20 participants each. Data collected during August 1~3, 2022, before the program, and October 29~31, 2022, after the program. In this study, the shared forest walking program was conducted twice a week for a total of 24 sessions, with each session lasting one hour. All data were analyzed using SPSS version 18.0, x² tests, and t-tests. Results: The experimental group participating in the sharing forest walking program showed higher self-esteem and life satisfaction than the control group, along with a decrease in depression. Additionally, there were statistically significant differences in self-esteem (t=5.97, p<.001), life satisfaction (t=7.78, p<.001), and depression (t=-7.58, p<.001). Conclusion: The shared forest walking program, developed based on the results of this study, improved self-esteem and; life satisfaction; and reduced depression among older adults living alone in rural communities. We propose the development of a continuous program to assist older adults living alone in underprivileged rural areas to experience retirement with reduced depression, increased self-esteem, and enhanced life satisfaction.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.43-52
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• 2024

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of a 12-week combined cognitive and physical exercise program on cognitive and physical functions in older adults diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Design: A one-group pretest-posttest study. Methods: Twelve participants with MCI engaged in a weekly 60-minute session of combined cognitive and physical exercise program. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), while physical function was evaluated through measures of muscle strength, postural balance, and walking capabilities. Muscle strength assessments included the arm curl test, handgrip strength, and the 5 sit-to-stand test. Postural balance was evaluated using the one-leg stance test, timed up-and-go test, functional reach test, and four square step test. Walking function was analyzed through a gait analysis device. Pre- and post-intervention measurements were compared to determine the effects of the exercise program. Results: The results demonstrated significant improvements in MoCA, arm curl test, timed up-and-go test, walking speed, and cadence following the 12-week intervention (p<0.05). MoCA scores revealed enhanced cognitive performance, while measures of muscle strength, including the arm curl test, exhibited significant changes. Improvements in timed up-and-go test scores indicated enhanced mobility, accompanied by increased walking speed and cadence, as evidenced by gait analysis. Conclusions: This study suggests that a structured 12-week program incorporating both cognitive and physical exercises can lead to meaningful improvements in cognitive and physical functions among older adults with MCI.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.247-253
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• 2020

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effects of real-time visual feedback gait training on gait stability in older adults. Method: Twelve older adults participated in this study, being divided into 2 groups including a) visual feedback (VF) and b) non-visual feedback (NVF) groups. For 4 weeks, VF performed a treadmill walking training with real-time visual feedback about their postural information while NVF performed a normal treadmill walking training. For evaluations of gait stability, kinematic data of 15-minute treadmill walking were collected from depth-based motion capture system (30 Hz, exbody, Korea). Given that step lengths in both right and left sides were determined based on kinematic data, three variables including step difference, coefficient of variation, approximate entropy were calculated to evaluate gait symmetry, variability and complexity, respectively. Results: For research findings, VF exhibited significant improvements in gait stability after 4-week training in comparison to NVF, particularly in gait symmetry and complexity measures. However, greater improvement in gait variability was observed in NVF than VF. Conclusion: Given that visual feedback walking gives potential effectiveness on gait stability in older adults, gait training with visual feedback may be a robust therapeutic intervention in people with gait disturbances like instability or falls.