Effect of a Square-Stepping Exercise Instructed by Older Volunteers on the Lower Extremity Physical Function of Community-Dwelling Older Women:

Comparison with Instruction of Fitness Experts

Abstract

Introduction: An exercise program managed by fitness experts was held as a service for preventative care for community-dwelling older adults. Older volunteers also held a group exercise activity as the same service in some regions. Although volunteers are not familiar with instructional exercise, it was necessary for them to produce similar results to those produced by the fitness experts. Square-Stepping Exercise (SSE) is a novel exercise that can be easily instructed without the aid of professional trainers, and could help maintain the lower extremity physical function of older adults. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the effect of SSE instructed by older volunteers is different from the effect produced by experts. Methods: Twenty participants took part in a group exercise activity facilitated by older volunteers. Another 20 participated in the exercise program supervised by fitness experts. The group exercise activity and exercise program, which primarily entailed the SSE, was held once a week for 11 weeks in Kasama City, Ibaraki. The lower extremity physical function was assessed using 4 physical performance tests: one-leg balance with eyes open, 5-repetition sit-to-stand, timed up-and-go, and 5m habitual walk. Results: Two-way ANOVA did not demonstrate a significant interaction or main effect in any physical performance test (P =0.071～0.758). Conclusion: There may not be any significant difference in effect of SSE instructed by older volunteers and fitness experts.