Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a whole-body exercise program to improve fall-related outcomes for elderly persons in a long-term care facility. The training consisted of a warm-up, static stretching, muscle strengthening in the upper and lower extremities, toe exercises, and a cool-down with rhythm for cognition. The study design was a prospective clinical trial. Participants were 40 (21 intervention, 19 control) elderly persons in a long-term care facility. The intervention period was 3 months, with outcomes measured before and after intervention. Outcome values were mobility, handgrip strength, muscle strength in the lower extremities, postural sway, toe function, cognitive status, fall self-efficacy, and number of falls and injuries. The intervention group showed increased balance and fall self-efficacy, maintained mobility, toe function, cognitive status, and muscle strength, and a decreased number of falls and fallers. No training-related medical problems occurred. The whole-body exercise program was shown to be acceptable for use among elderly persons in a longterm care facility.
