Abstract
We evaluated the effects of a 3-month exercise program in reducing risk factors of falls in determined care level of assistance required under the long-term care insurance program. A pamphlet containing information on “Fall Prevention Exercise Classes” was mailed to 185 potential participants with assistance required. Thirty five agreed to join the exercise classes. For a 12-week intervention period, participants received exercise program twice a week focused on improving muscle strength, balance, and walking ability. Outcome measures included physical fitness, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology (TMIG) index score, and fear of falling. The research protocol was approved by the institutional review board of TMIG, and informed consent was obtained from each participant. Of participants, 65% perceived that they were able to walk stably, and 60.0% were confident that they were able to prevent falling by themselves. The maximum walking speed increased significantly from 1.14±0.46 m/s at baseline to 1.39±0.47 m/s after intervention (improved 21.4%, P<0.001), and knee extension power increased from 17.67±6.01 kg at baseline to 23.57±8.49 kg after 3-month exercise program (increased 33.4％, P<0.001). The percentage of fear of falling was significantly decreased from 90.5% before intervention to 61.9% after 3-month exercise (P=0.031). These results suggest that exercise program targeting modifiable muscle strength, balance, and walking ability is a safe and effective intervention to reduce the risk factors of falls, and fear of falling in frail elderly.
