The Effects of Aerobic Exercise Therapy on Physical Functions in the Elderly

PURPOSE: Designed to examine the effects of aerobic exercise therapy on elders' physical functions. METHODS: Selected from an elderly welfare center in an agricultural district located in N City. Thirty seven elders were selected in the experimental group and 38 in the control group, and all the subjects aged over 65. Collected data were statistically analyzed by SPSS/PC 12.0 Win. Detailed data analysis methods were Chi-square, Fisher's exact test, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, t-test, Mann-Whitney u-test, paired t-test, and Wilcoxon's rank sum test. RESULTS: The first hypothesis "The experimental group who had the aerobic exercise therapy will have greater development in lower leg muscular strength compared to the control group" was supported (t=8.95, p<.001). The second hypothesis "Aerobic exercise therapy participants will show greater development in lower leg endurance" was supported (t=6.12, p<.001). The third hypothesis "Aerobic exercise therapy participants will show greater development in flexibility" was supported (U=49.00, p<.001). The forth hypothesis "Aerobic exercise therapy participants will show greater development in balance" was supported (U=322.00, p<.001). CONCLUSION: The aerobic exercise therapy showed positive effects on physical functions of the elderly in a rural area.

A Comparative Study on Cognition and Consumption Patterns of Korean Rice Cake Classified by Age in Busan / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study was carried out to investigate the Korean rice cake cognition and consumption patterns classified by age in Busan. The survey was conducted from November 21 to December 26, 2007 by questionnaires and data were analyzed by SPSS program. The results are summarized as follows: Forty one point two percent of the elementary school group, 29.0% of the high school group, 35.0% of 2,30's, 44.5% of 4,50's and 39.5% of over 60's took Korean rice cake once or twice per month. Sixty two point eight percent of elementary group, 44.0% of the high school group, 43.0% of 2,30's, 42.5% of 4,50's and 49.5% of over 60's preferred Korean rice cake. The most important basis for selecting rice cake was 'taste' in all of the subjects. The improvements for rice cake were indicated as taste, preservation and packing. As their age decreased, the score of preference for Gaepiduk, Danja, Dootupduk, Bookumi, Soemuriduk, Julpyun, Jorangi and Jungpyun were decreased. Songpyun, Garaeduk, Injulmi, Siruduk and Moojigaeduk were highly recognized as Korean rice cakes. There was a significant positive correlation between preference of rice cake and age, sex, obesity and recognition degree (p < 0.01). Therefore the understanding of the requirements of the subjects according to age and sex is needed to encourage them to choose Korean rice cake.