[The development & effect of a tailored fall prevention exercise for older adults]

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted to develop and to determine the effect of an tailored falls prevention exercise for older adults.

Method: Subjects consisted of 59 older adults (experimental group: 29, control group: 30) living at nursing homes. Experimental group participated in tailored falls prevention exercise for 16 weeks (3 times a week, 50 min every session). Data were collected before the exercise, 16 weeks & 24 weeks after the beginning of exercise.

Results: 1) the experimental group significantly improved the muscle strength of hip extensor & flexor, knee extensor & flexor, ankle dorsiflexor, & plantar flexor compared to the control group. 2) the experimental group significantly decreased the mean time for 10 times chair stand. 3) the experimental group significantly increased the standing time on one leg and the number of heel raise for 30 seconds compared to the control group. In addition more older adults in the experimental group completed the tandem stance and semi-tandem stance for 10 seconds than the control group. 4) The experimental group significantly decreased the mean time of 6m walk and the fall frequency compared to the control group.

Conclusions: This results suggest that tailored falls prevention exercise for older adults can improve muscle strength, static & dynamic balance and decrease the fall frequency of older adults.