Abstract
Introduction: In some regions, experts train community-dwelling older people so that they can manage voluntary group exercise activities and provide technical advice to participants in their programs. Such group exercise activities led by older volunteers are increasing. However, the effect of volunteers' exercise support has not yet been sufficiently examined. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of group exercise activities led by older volunteers, which mainly entailed the Square-Stepping Exercise (SSE), on the lower-extremity physical function of community-dwelling older women. Methods: Subjects were 60 community-dwelling older women in Kasama City, Ibaraki. Thirty women participated in a group exercise activity managed by older volunteers (SSE group activity) for approximately 1 year, while the remaining 30 subjects did not (control group). The SSE group activity consisted of an SSE for improving lower extremity physical function, and warm-up and cool-down exercises. The lower extremity physical function of all 60 subjects was assessed using 5 physical performance tests: one-leg balance with eyes open, 5-repetition sit-to-stand, timed up and go, 5 m habitual walk, and 4-way choice reaction time; tests were performed before and after the 1-year of the activity period. Results: Two-way ANOVA revealed a significant interaction in the performance on the timed up and go (P = 0.006). The performance of subjects who had participated in the SSE group activity remained the same in the pre and post tests (P = 0.211). On the other hand, subjects who did not take part in the SSE group activity exhibited a significant decline in their performance on the timed up and go (P = 0.007). No significant difference was found in the other 4 physical performance tests for either group. Conclusion: Participation in an SSE group activity managed by older volunteers can maintain the mobility skills of community-dwelling older women.
