THE EFFECT OF BALL EXERCISE ON PHYSICAL FUNCTIONS IN THE ELDERLY WOMEN / 体力科学

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Ball Exercise on physical functions related to fall prevention among community-dwelling elderly. Nineteen healthy elderly women voluntarily participated in a Ball Exercise course that consiste of 60-min classes once a week for three months. We assessed their physical functions at baseline and then again after the Ball Exercise course. Significant improvements (p<0.05) were observed in one leg standing without vision (+7.2 s), functional reach (+14.4%), trunk flexibility test (+7.1%), maximum walking speed (+17%), and the isometric muscle strength of the knee and ankle joints (+9.8〜35.7%), but no changes were observed in grasping power. This study suggested that Ball Exercise might be a suitable fall prevention and health promoting exercise for elderly people. We therefore concluded that ensuring a high level of physical functions is important to prevent falls and maintain a high quality of life for elderly people.