抄録
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of training on sensorimotor functions including muscle strength, motor time for the ankle, balance reaction and performance in six minute walk using a step exercise training program for a period of 8 weeks in 10 elderly women (mean age=79.8, SD=5.8) among residents of a health institution for the aged. As a result of the training program the follow factors significantly improved: the best mean torque for the dorsi flexor and the plantar flexor (0.12 ± 0.07→0.21 ± 0.07 Nm/kg, 0.44 ± 0.13→0.62 ± 0.19 Nm/kg); motor time at the dorsi flexor and the plantar flexor (61.0 ± 6.4→45.0 ± 4.2 msec, 55.1 ± 5.4→42.7 ± 5.1 msec); anteroposterior movement distance of the body’s center of gravity (3.6 ± 2.0→5.6 ± 2.7 cm) and the six minute walk distance (256.4 ± 48.4→319.3 ± 65.4 m). Also, it was shown that there were significant correlations between Δ the best mean torque and both Δ the anteroposterior movement distance and Δ the six minute walk distance (r=0.78 p<0.01, r=0.66 p<0.05). These results suggest that the training program increased gait performance.
