• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.345-351
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• 2024

Background: A decrease in physical fitness with age can impact work ability. Exploring the role of physical fitness is important for identifying interventions to enhance work ability among aging workers. We sought to determine the association between physical fitness and physically demanding work ability in aging workers. Methods: We recruited workers aged 45-65 years from eight departments of a university hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. Work ability was assessed using the work ability index (WAI), and physical fitness components were evaluated through various tests. Associations between work ability and physical fitness were examined using a multivariable regression analysis. Results: The response rate was 46.4% (n = 216). The mean WAI score was 41.6. Participants with an overweight or obese body mass index (BMI) had 1.8 (95% CI -3.1, -0.4) points lower WAI scores than did those within a healthy BMI range. A handgrip strength test revealed that participants in the good/very good group had 2.5 (95% CI: 0.6, 4.3) higher WAI scores than did those in the very poor/poor group. For a single-leg stance test, participants in the above-average group had 2.1 (95% CI: 0.7, 3.5) points greater WAI scores than did those in the below-average group. No significant associations were found between work ability and 3-min step, chair stand, or sit-and-reach test scores. Conclusion: The overall work ability of the participants was good. Body composition, muscle strength, and balance were associated with work ability. Promoting physical fitness is a viable strategy for enhancing work ability among aging workers.

• 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.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 2017

Objective: This study aimed to identify the area with greatest effect using self-myofascial release technique (self-MFR) in the hamstring, suboccipital, and plantar regions. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Twenty-two adult subjects were evaluated for flexibility and hamstring pain threshold after self-MFR. Based on the superficial back line, the self-MFR application areas were the suboccipital region, hamstring, and plantar regions. Self-MFR was applied to each area using a wooden pole for a total of 4 minutes. Self-MFR was applied for 3 days at the same time of day, which was randomly assigned for each subject. Treatment was applied to one area each day. The sit and reach test (SRT), active range of motion (AROM), and passive ROM (PROM) were used to determine changes in flexibility, and an algometer was used to determine pain threshold. Pre/post-self-MFR effectiveness was tested using a paired t-test. Repeated measurement was used to compare self-MFR effects in the suboccipital, hamstring, and plantar regions. Results: When the self-MFR technique was applied to the 3 areas, the SRT showed significant improvement over baseline (p<0.05). Bilateral AROM and PROM showed significant improvements (p<0.05). When the self-MFR technique was applied to the hamstring, the semimembranosus showed a significant change in pain threshold (p<0.05). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that indirect application based on the Anatomy Trains could be effective for those who need to improve muscle flexibility. Moreover, self-MFR easily alleviates myofascial pain while maintaining flexibility, and can be performed at any time and place.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.82-90
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was conducted in order to compare muscle strength and gait ability of hemodialysis patients with those of healthy adults. Methods: Data were collected through a questionnaire, by testing of muscle strength and gait ability of 40 hemodialysis patients and 40 healthy adults. $X^2$-test, t-test, and ANCOVA were used in performance of data analysis. Results: First, variables including of occupation ( $X^2$=22.40,p<.001), body weight (t=-3.72, p<.001), and BMI ( $X^2$=14.65, p<.001) differed significantly between patients in the hemodialysis group and subjects in the healthy adult group. Second, using ANCOVA analysis with correction for related variables, such as occupation, body weight, and BMI as covariates, numbers for lift/reach (F=8.15, p<.001) and sit-to-stand (F=5.47, p=.001), and both maximum safe speed (F=9.17, p<.001) and normal comfortable speed (F=8.89, p<.001) were significantly lower for patients in the hemodialysis, compared with subjects in the healthy adult group. Conclusion: According to the results, muscle strength and gait ability of patients in the hemodialysis group were lower than those of subjects inthe healthy adult group. These findings suggest the importance and necessity for an interventional exercise and rehabilitation program for hemodialysis patients.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.7
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• pp.968-973
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• 2008

The study was to provide basic data and to examine the effect of combined exercise for 12 months on functional fitness and bone mineral density (BMD) in breast cancer survivors. The subjects of this study were 40 to 60-year-old married women (N=24) who finished their treatments chemotherapy and radiation therapy. They were divided into two groups that exercise group and exercise with alendronate group. Eighteen (T-score=$-2.2{\pm}0.8$) of the 24 women who were diagnosed osteopenia (N=15) and osteoporosis (N=3), participated in combined exercise (EG). The other six (T-score=$-4.6{\pm}0.9$) women who were diagnosed as osteoporosis (EDG), participated in the combined exercise program with osteoporosis drug (Alendronate 70 mg/w). The result of the analysis was as follows: Twelve months after, the participants (N=24) had a significant increase of the items such as sit and reach ups, grip strength (R and L) and sit ups test of functional fitness in the periods. In body composition, FM (fat mass) had significant decrease in periods. In the comparison of BMD, EG (N=18) had no change, while EDG (N=6) had significant improvement in L1, T12 and T-score after 12months. Consequently, complex exercise program (Hatha yoga, elastic band, gym ball) had positive effect on functional fitness and bone mineral density. We suggest that complex exercise program can be applied as recovery program after breast cancer surgery. Further research needs various and repetitive studies from more different targets or methods in the exercise program for its improvement.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.369-379
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to compare the initial effect of nerve mobilization (NM), static stretching (SS), and contract-relax (CR) techniques to find the best method in improving hamstring flexibility and gait function in patients with hemiplegia. Methods : Eleven patients with hemiplegia were included in this study. Passive knee extension (PKE) range of motion and the sit and reach (SR) test were used to measure hamstring flexibility, while timed up and go (TUG) and the 10m walking (10MW) test were used to measure the subject's gait. Measurements on each test were assessed prior to the experiment, immediately following the experiment, and 30 minutes after the experiment. Analysis of the results utilized a repeated measures analysis of variance to examine hamstring flexibility and the difference in walking ability. Results : The results suggest significant increases in NM, SS, and CR techniques as they relate to hamstring flexibility (p<.05) following (both immediate and 30 minutes post experiment) PKE range of motion and the SR test, but post-hoc showed no significant difference between the three techniques (p>.05). Additionally, the results suggest significant increases in NM, SS, and CR techniques as they relate to gait function (p<.05) following the TUG test, but found no significant difference in the 10MW test (p>.05). Post-hoc analysis between the three techniques suggests that only the NM technique significantly changed gait function. The time of TUG and 10MW test showed no significant difference between the three techniques before an experiment, just after an experiment, and 30 minutes following the experiment according to the measurement points in time (p>.05). Conclusion : This study suggests NM, SS, and CR techniques immediately improve hamstring length and flexibility while improving gait function in patients with hemiplegia.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.55-63
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• 2007

This study was designed to examine the relationship between clinical symptoms, self-efficacy, and performance of women with osteoarthritis. It is a survey study of 60 women who were diagnosed as osteoarthritis and given medical treatments from September, 2005 to October, 2005 in hospital 'H' located in Yongin-si. For clinical symptoms, radiographs of the subjects' knees were taken and evaluated the pathology grade by the Kellgren-Lawrence grade. Pain and stiffness was measured by the measure of WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index), and functional reach test was measured in order to examine balancing abilities. Self-efficacy was measured by a tool which has revised the ASES (Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale), and performance was measured by recording the difficulty of the WOMAC measurements themselves, and the time taken for 20 m walking, going up and down 9 stairs, and 5 sit-down and stand-up repetitions. The resulting differences in the other variables according to performance and the relationship between performance with variables are the following. First, an increase in pain in women with osteoarthritis led to decreased functional ability. Second, an increase in stiffness in women with osteoarthritis led to a decrease in functional ability. Third, a decrease in balance in women with osteoarthritis led to a decrease in functional ability. Fourth, a decrease in self-efficacy in women with osteoarthritis led to a decrease in functional ability. Fifth, the variables for estimating the performance by self-report were pain and self-efficacy. The variables for estimating the performance by recording the time taken was balance and self-efficacy. As a result factors such as pain, balance and self-efficacy in women with osteoarthritis were closely related to performance. Based on the results, it seems that physical therapy programs to decrease pain and to increase the balance in women with osteoarthritis, and psychological approaches to increasing self-efficacy are needed. I hope that the results of this study will be useful data for clinical management and intervention for women with osteoarthritis.

• 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.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.73-78
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• 2000

The Sit-and-Reach Test (SRT) is commonly nea to assess flexibility of the spine and length of the hamstring muscle, The purpose of this study was to describe hamstring muscle length as reflected by use of the SRT, the Hip Joint Angle (HJA) and Sack length(from C7 to S2) in children, to examine the correlation between Back length, SRT and HJA measurements and to examine gender differences. The 162 subjects were participated without known musculoskeletal and neurological impairments of their spine or lower exeremities. In the Long-silting position, the Back length, SRT and HJA measurements were obtained. A mean Back length value of 46.2cm, a mean SRT value of 29.4cm and a mean HJA of 77,0 degrees were obtained including all subjects. There was a strong correlation between the SRT and HJA measurements (r=.66). There were a difference between boys and girls in Back(p=.0019) and HJA measurements (p=.015). The results of this study suggest that measurements for the SRT and HJA were correlated than Back. The HJA measurements guide treatment more effectively than do Back length and SRT measurements.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.39-48
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• 2010

Purpose: To examine the effects of a 36-week resistance training program on body composition, fitness and blood lipid profiles in the obese elderly. Method: fourteen subjects were assigned into the resistance training group. The 12-16 exercise sessions were performed for 60min with 15-25 repetitions twice per week for 36 weeks. Data were analyzed by paired t-test with SPSS version 12.0 for Windows. Results: Significant changes were evident in weight (t=5.983, p<.001), body mass index (t=5.922, p<.001), % body fat (t=3.480, p=.004), and fat free mass (t=-2.592, p=.022). Concerning exercises, no significance was noted for back scratch (t=-1.814, p=.093), but were for 2-min step (t=-3.075, p=.009), arm curl (t=-2.223, p=.045), chair stand (t=-3.671, p=.003), chair sit and reach (t=-2.508, p=.026), and 8-ft up and go (t=5.545, p<.001). No significant changes were evident in total cholesterol (t=1.189, p=.279), and total glucose (t=0.689, p=.517), while the change in high-density lipoprotein was significant (t=3.535, p=.012). Conclusion: The 36-week resistance training program enhanced body composition and physical fitness, but not blood lipid profiles in obese elderly subjects.