ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Although there were many studies about increasing the bone mineral density(BMD) of the elderly by exercise program, the results of weekly exercise participation degree are still to be not prepared. Therefore I examined that the effect of weekly exercise participation degree on BMD level of the elderly. METHODS: Subjects were 93 older adults (male=43, female=50) residing in Seoul-Seniors-To-wei. These people are either participating in exercise program for a year, or not in Song-Do Hospital Exercise Prescription Center. Among the elderly, if one were took part in exercise program 5 days or more weekly, they are classified in Group A(male = 14, female= 14), if one were took part in exercise program 5 days weekly, they are classified in Group B (male = 14, female = 17), if one were took part in exercise program a day weekly. they are classified in Group C(mal =8, female= 13). and if one were not took part in exercise program, they are involved in Group I)(male=7, female=6). All the measured data were represented by mean and standard deviation using SPSS package(ver10.0). The statistical techniques for data analysis of BMD levels of the four groups in male and female groups were to analyze the differences among groups by one way ANOVA. And then I performed the Scheffe post-hoc method forinvestigating exactly the differences among groups. The 5% level of significance was used as the critical level for acceptance of hypotheses for the study. RESULTS: There were no statistical difference (p>0.05) among four male or female groups in BMD levels of head, anus, trunk, ribs, and pelvis parts. But there were statistical differences(p <0.05) among four male or female groups in BMD levels of legs, spine, and total. On the condition of legs, the BMD level of Group A exercised in 5 days or more weekly was 1.58 g/cm2 (F=6.774, p=0.001) in male groups and 1.17 g/cm2 (F =6.616. p=0.001) in female groups. These levels were the highest among four groups. And on the condition of spine, the BMD level of Group A was 1.17 g/cm2(F=7.732, p=0.001) in male groups and 1.16 g/cm2(F=6.243, p=0.002) in female groups. These levels were the highest among four groups. Also on the cutiditiuii of total, the BMD level of Group A was 1.53 g/cm2(F=5.677, p=0.003) in male groups and 1.1 g/cm(F=5.283, p=0.003)in female groups. These levels were the highest among four groups. CONCLUSION: Although the exercise is advantageous to the elderly people, if they are participated in 5 days or more weekly, they will be gained more benefit on BMD level and so on.