PURPOSE This study was performed to evaluate effects of a stim-up matt walking exercise program on balance and gait of the frail elderly. METHODS A total of 37 elderly people recruited from S city were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=22) and control group (n=15). The stim-up matt walking exercise program was offered twice a week for 8 weeks. Data were analyzed by SPSS 21.0. RESULTS The dynamic balance ability Timed Up and Go test of the experimental group was significantly faster than that of the control group (t=21.72, p<.001). The static balance ability open-eye standing test (t=44.15, p<.001) and close-eye standing test (t=9.01, p=.005) also showed increase in effects of the experimental group. In the walking ability, gait cycle (t=2.48, p=.018), cadence (t=−2.21, p=.034) and gait speed (t=−2.78, p=.009), positive effects were on. However, no statistically significant differences were found in stride length and double support. At the ankle joint range left ankle plantar flexion (t=3.92, p<.001) and left ankle dorsal flexion (t=4.51, p<.001) were higher in the experimental group than in the control group, and also right ankle plantar flexion (t=2.79, p=.008) and right ankle dorsal flexion (t=2.92, p=.006) increased in the experimental group. CONCLUSION The significance of this study is that the stim-up matt walking exercise program for the frail elderly proves to be useful for improving balance and walking.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Differences in the Gait Pattern and Muscle Activity of the Lower Extremities during Forward and Backward Walking on Sand Chae-Won Kwon, Seong Ho Yun, Jung-Won Kwon The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy.2022; 34(1): 45. CrossRef