The Keio Journal of Medicine
Online ISSN : 1880-1293
Print ISSN : 0022-9717
ISSN-L : 0022-9717
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Efficacy of training program for ambulatory competence in elderly women
Jun IwamotoYohei OtakaKazuhiko KudoTsuyoshi TakedaMitsuyoshi UzawaKiyoshi Hirabayashi
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JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2004 Volume 53 Issue 2 Pages 85-89

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Abstract

The optimal prevention of osteoporotic fractures in the elderly consists of increasing the bone density and preventing falls. We report on the efficacy of training program to promote ambulatory competence in elderly women. Twenty-five elderly women were enrolled in our training program, which is a three-month program consisting of dynamic balance training with Galileo 900 (Novotec, Pforzheim, Germany) once a week, combined with daily static balance (standing on one leg like a flamingo) and resistance (half-squat) trainings. The mean age of the participants was 72.8 years (range, 61-86 years). After 3 months of training, the step length, knee extensor muscle strength, and maximum standing time on one leg were significantly increased, while the walking speed and hip flexor muscle strength were not significantly altered. During the study period, no serious adverse events such as new vertebral fractures or adverse cardiovascular symptoms were observed in any participant. The present preliminary study shows that our training program may have the potential to promote ambulatory competence in elderly women.

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© 2004 by The Keio Journal of Medicine
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