[Effects of Physical Fitness Exercise on Functional Fitness in Older Adults With Mild to Moderate Disability]
- PMID: 41277118
- DOI: 10.6224/JN.202512_72(6).06
[Effects of Physical Fitness Exercise on Functional Fitness in Older Adults With Mild to Moderate Disability]
Abstract
Background: Taiwan, a super-aged society as of 2025, has a population of older adults that is largely inactive. Active participation in exercise is critical to maintaining and improving functional fitness in persons in this age group.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a physical fitness exercise program on the functional fitness of mild to moderately disabled older adults.
Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with a two-group pre- and post-test design. Sixty older adults from one day care center were recruited and enrolled as participants. The experimental group underwent a 12-week physical-fitness program that included yoga and stretching, while the control group followed the center's routine care regimen.
Results: Significant pre-/post-test improvement over the control group was found for the experimental group in the 30 seconds of chair sitting and standing (β = 1.73, p = .007), 2 minutes of stationary high knees (β = 6.70, p = .031), back reaches and stretching (β = 6.62, p = .005), and sitting pike stretches (β = 5.57, p = .047). In the level 2-4 of long-term care needs, the experimental group showed significant improvements in grip strength (F = 4.34, p = .017) and sitting pike stretches (F = 3.68, p = .031). In addition, within the 65-80 year old subgroup, those in the experimental group also showed significant improvement in 2 minutes of stationary high knee (F = 4.70, p = .018). Within the over 81 year old subgroup, significant improvements were noted in grip strength (F = 7.32, p = .001), 30 seconds of arm curls test (F = 3.58, p = .034), 30 seconds of chair sitting and standing (F = 4.12, p = .021), and sitting pike stretches (F = 5.51, p = .006). No significant differences in functional fitness was observed in the control group across different age groups and long-term care need profiles.
Conclusions: The physical fitness exercise program effectively improved functional fitness in those participants, particularly in the older age group, with mild to moderate disabilities. This exercise program should be incorporated into routine activities provided at day care centers for older adults.
Title: 探討體適能運動對輕中度失能老人功能性體適能之成效.
背景: 臺灣於2025年邁入超高齡社會，多數老人運動不足，需介入運動方案，提升其功能性體適能。.
目的: 1.探討老人失能程度、年齡與功能性體適能之相關性。2.驗證體適能運動介入對輕中度失能老人之功能性體適能之成效。.
方法: 本研究採類實驗雙組前後測設計，共收案60位日間照護中心老人。實驗組進行12週含瑜珈和伸展之運動課程。對照組依機構內常規課程。.
結果: 兩組比較結果顯示，實驗組在30秒坐姿站立（β = 1.73, p = .007）、2分鐘原地站立抬膝（β = 6.70, p = .031）、抓背伸展（β = 6.62, p = .005）、坐姿體前彎（β = 5.57, p = .047）前後測優於對照組。在長照需要分類系統（long-term care case-mix system）2–4級老人中，實驗組之握力（F = 4.34, p = .017）和坐姿體前彎（F = 3.68, p = .031）前後測有顯著成效。在65–80歲實驗組老人之2分鐘原地站立抬膝（F = 4.70, p = .018）、81歲以上老人之上肢握力（F = 7.32, p = .001）、30秒手臂屈舉（F = 3.58, p = .034）、30秒坐姿站立（F = 4.12, p = .021）、坐姿體前彎（F = 5.51, p = .006）前後測有顯著成效。對照組在不同長照等級和年齡層之前後測體適能均無顯著成效（p > .05）。.
結論／實務應用: 體適能運動課程可顯著提升輕中度失能個案的功能性體適能，尤其是年齡較大之老人，建議日照中心可將體適能課程融入老人常規照護活動。.
Keywords: day care center; disabled elderly; functional fitness; physical fitness exercise.