• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.665-676
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• 2019

The Korean society is currently showing a decrease in the child population and a rapid increase in the elderly population due to low birth rates and aging, but the current park system does not reflect the changing population structure. This study aimed to find ways to plan and promote use of senior-friendly parks for the aging society. The results are as follows. First, the elderly mostly gathered in Tapgol Park and Jongmyo Park which were accessible to subways and close to amenities and traditional markets. The elders usually gathered around buffer zones or green spaces set up to protect cultural heritages. Second, many elderly users were observed in Osolgil Silver Park and Sinteuri Park which were renovated with senior-friendly concept. These parks were recognized as places that the elderly people could visit without minding users of other generations because the elderly users were ensured by words such as 'seniors only' or 'senior-friendly'. Third, the importance of the locational conditions for the senior-friendly parks should be mentioned. A senior-friendly park must be located in an urban center to have convenient access to transportation, secure large green spaces, and make elderly users feel at ease with social connectivity when they use the amenities there. Fourth, the survey results showed that elderly people visited parks to exerciseand take a walk (track),by age, older age groups visited the park to socialize with other elders around their age. Fifth, the most desired facilities for constructing senior-friendly parks were fitness equipment, and sports facilities like a trail, track, and gateball field, and in some cases, vegetable gardens and indoor rest area to avoid wind in cold weather.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.276-282
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• 2011

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a aquatic exercise program on body mass index, body fat percentage and skeletal muscle mass, physical fitness using SFT (senior fitness test) and depression in elderly women. Methods: This study included 59 elderly women. Aquatics exercise program was performed three times per week for 12 weeks using rating of perceived exertion and body mass index, body fat percentage, skeletal muscle mass, physical fitness and depression were measured before and after exercise program. Statistical analysis was performed using t-test. Results: Body mass index (p=.002) and body fat percentage (p=.021) were significantly decreased after aquatic exercise program. Chair stand (p=.009), 2 minute step test (p<.001), back scratch (p<.001), and chair sit and reach (p<.001) were significantly increased after the aquatic exercise program. But, there was no significant differences in the depression. Conclusion: It is suggested the aquatic exercise program may play a significant role in improving body fat and physical fitness in the elderly women. However, as well as aquatic exercise program, sustained encouragement are required to improve physical and psychological traits.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.1277-1283
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 12 weeks of combined training (aerobic/anaerobic training and space perception training) on changes in body composition (weight, % body fat, % muscle mass, BMI, WHR) and cardiorespiratory fitness according to the ACE gene polymorphism (II: 7 men, ID: 8 men, DD: 6 men) in 21 senior Korea Air Force Academy cadets. The results of this study were as follows: body composition factors among ACE gene polymorphism groups and between pre-/post-training in all groups were not statistically significant. Cardiorespiratory fitness of the II and ID groups was significantly lower after training (p<0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference between pre-/post-training in the DD. In conclusion, this study suggests that cardiorespiratory fitness response to compound training may be affected by ACE genotypes.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.187-192
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• 2018

Purpose: This study compared the functional fitness and brake response of elderly and young drivers to confirm the correlation between the functional fitness and brake response. Methods: This study was a cross sectional observational design. Older drivers (>65age, n=21) and young adult drivers (20-40aged, n=20) were enrolled as subjects. The functional fitness of the subjects was measured using a senior fitness test consisting of a back scratch (BS), chair sit and reach (CSR), arm curl (AC), chair stand up (CSU), foot up and go (8-FUG), and 2-minute step (2-MS). The brake response used the virtual driving simulator to measure the brake reaction time (BRT) and braking distance (BD) according to the pedestrian protection and traffic signal compliance. Results: The older drivers had a lower BS (p<0.000), CSU (p=0.040), and 8-FUG (p=0.011) than the young adult drivers. BS and 8-FUG showed a significant positive correlation with the BRT and BD of pedestrian protection and traffic signal compliance. CSU showed a significant negative correlation with the BRT of pedestrian protection and traffic signal compliance. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the flexibility of the upper extremity, lower extremity strength, and agility are strongly correlated with the driving performance of elderly drivers.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.55-65
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of water exercise program on physical fitness, pain and quality of life(QoL) in patients with osteoarthritis. Methods: Thirty-four old women were divided into the exercise(EG, n=18) and control groups(CG, n=16) after 6-week self-help education program. The EG carried out 6-week supervised water exercise program(60min/day, 2days/wk). Physical fitness, pain, and QoL were assessed by Senior Fitness Test Manual(Rikli & Jones, 2005), Pain rating scale(0-10) and World Health Organization QoL BREF(Min et al., 2000), respectively. Results: Both EG and CG increased upper and lower-body strength(all, p<.05), which were measured by arm curl and chair stand, respectively. For flexibility test, the EG increased upper and lower body(all, p<.05). Balance of the EG increased(p<.05), but not in the CG. Pain significantly decreased in the EG post training(p=.000). However, both EG and CG did not significantly improve for QoL. Conclusion: Six weeks of water exercise program did induce significant improvement in physical fitness and pain control in patients with osteoarthritis.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.435-446
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of strength exercise program(60 minutes/day, 3 times/week) on health-related fitness and the factor of metabolic syndrome in the older at senior care facilities during 12 weeks. Twenty-seven volunteers were recruited for the study and divided into two groups: 15 persons(82.6yrs) undertook a continuous 12 weeks strength exercise program(EG), and 12 persons(78.9yrs) served as a control group(CG). The data process of this study calculated as mean(M) and standard Deviation(SD) of all measured value, used repeated measure ANOVA, and paired t-test. The significant level of hypothesis verification is set-up as α=.05. After 12 weeks in EG, health-related fitness increased by an average of 15.2% for right grip strength(p<.05), 26.9% for left grip strength(p<.05), 32.7% for chair stand(p<.05), 92.5% for one leg stand(p<.05), 29.6% for sit and reach(p<.05), and 34.5% for TUG(p<.05); CG showed no difference between pre and post. In the factor of metabolic syndrome, Systolic BP(3.1mmHg) and fasting blood glucose(7.4mg/dl) decreased in the EG group(p<.05). In summary, the strength exercise program leads to a genuine increase in health-related fitness and decrease in the factor of metabolic syndrome in the older adults. The well planned strength exercise seems to be an important intervention to improve function fitness in this population.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.125-135
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was conducted to develop and test the effects of an elder health promotion program and apply strategies for elder health leader training sessions with elders at senior citizen halls. Methods: A nonequivalent control group pretestposttest design was used. Participants were 49 elders at a senior citizen hall (intervention: 27, control: 22). The elder health promotion program consisted of health education and exercise. A professional leader led the program for 4 weeks, and then an elder health leader and research assistant led for 8 weeks (total 12 weeks). Scales for elder health promoting behaviors, perceived health status, life satisfaction and senior citizen hall capability were used and physical fitness levels were measured. Data were collected between April 21 and July 28, 2010 and analyzed using Chi-square, Fisher's exact test, t-test, and repeated measure ANOVA with SPSS/WIN 12.0. Results: Health promoting behaviors, physical fitness, perceived health status, and senior citizen hall capacity were significantly better in the experimental group after the intervention compared to the control group. Conclusion: Study findings indicate that elder health promotion programs applying strategies of elder health leader training are effective and can be recommended as nursing interventions for health promotion of these elders.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.31-38
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• 2024

The purpose of this study was to examine the current status of elderly sports both domestically and internationally, and to explore strategies for the activation of Silver Taekwondo as one of the sports disciplines for the elderly. To investigate the status of elderly sports globally, press releases and statistical data from various national public institutions and sports facilities (including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Korean Statistical Information Service, e-National Indicators, and the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation) were collected. Comparative analysis with related papers, journals, and books led to the following findings for activating Silver Taekwondo. Firstly, elderly sports in South Korea are primarily conducted through welfare centers, with a preference for dance, yoga, and music, while martial arts, including Taekwondo, had a lower preference rate. To increase participation in Silver Taekwondo, a variety of marketing approaches, similar to those used internationally, such as experiential case studies in media, film production, distribution, and telephone promotions, are necessary. Secondly, the development of Silver Taekwondo programs tailored to the training targets and the cultivation of instructors capable of executing these programs are needed. The development of programs should involve collaboration with Taekwondo institutions, dojangs, universities, and lifelong education centers, requiring the participation of majoring students and elderly sports instructors.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.136-144
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• 2017

This study analyzed the influence of Qigong exercise intervention upon a change in glucose, blood lipid, and SFT(senior fitness test) of elderly women and to closely examine the efficacy of a Qigong exercise intervention to promote the health of older women. As research subjects, 24 elderly women aged over 80 were divided into Qigong group(n=12) and control group(n=12), respectively, and the program was carried out for 60 minutes per a day, five times per week for 24 weeks. Data were analyzed using SPSS WIN 20.0, repeated measures ANOVA. The Qigong group had a significantly lower glucose level than the control group. Second, the blood lipid and neutral fat(TG) was reduced significantly in the Qigong group than the control group. The total cholesterol(TC), high-density lipoprotein(HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein(LDL-C) did not show a significant difference. Third, as for SFT, the leg strength, leg flexibility, and total body endurance were significantly higher in the Qigong group than in the control group. Therefore, Qigong has an influence on the reduction in glucose and neutral fat(TG) and upon the improvement in SFT(leg strength, leg flexibility, and total body endurance) of elderly women, and may show effectiveness as an exercise prescription program for older women.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.63-72
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• 2023

Background: This study investigated the effects of face-to-face and non-face-to-face McKenzie exercises and elastic band strengthening exercises on falls and fitness in older adults. Methods: A total of 44 subjects were divided into a face-to-face group (FG; n=22) and a non-face-to-face group (NFG; n=22) who met older adults. Both groups used McKenzie exercises and strength training with elastic bands The fall efficacy scale (K-FES) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) Pro were used to compare the senior fitness test (SFT). Results: No significant differences were detected between the two groups before the intervention; however, a significant difference was noted in the K-FES scores after the intervention. The change in HbA1c after the intervention was not statistically significant in the FG or the NFG, and no significant difference was detected between the two groups. The change in lower limb muscle strength in the elderly physical fitness test showed no significant difference between the two groups before or after the intervention. The change in upper limb flexibility after the intervention was not significantly different in the FG or NFG, indicating no significant difference between the two groups. The change in the 3-meter round-trip test after the intervention was significantly different in both the FG and NFG groups, but the difference between the groups was not statistically significant. The change in the grip strength test of the dominant hand showed no significant difference after the intervention in the FG or the NFG, and the difference between the FG and NFG groups was not statistically significant. The dominant foot external standing after the intervention was significantly improved in the FG, but no significant difference was detected in the NFG, and the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The study findings revealed that FG and NFG McKenzie exercises and elastic band strengthen exercises were equally effective at preventing falls and improving fitness in older adults.