2008 Volume 23 Issue 4 Pages 501-507
[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to validate the efficacy of group exercises for frail elderly people. [Subjects] We examined 41 persons, who needed support or care and were using day rehabilitation services. [Methods] Subjects were divided into two groups: one implemented individualized exercises after group exercises and the other implemented only individualized exercises. All the exercises were easy to perform, and individualized exercises were prescribed by a physiotherapist for each subject. We evaluated height, weight, body fat percentage, grip strength, knee extensor strength, sitting trunk flexion, one-leg stance, fanctional reach test (FRT), timed "up and go" test (TUG), 10-m walking time, TMIG, SF-36, and life-space assessment (LSA). [Results] In the group which implemented individualized exercises after group exercises, significant improvements of knee extensor strength and scores of SF-36 were observed. [Conclusion] The results suggest that group exercise before individualized exercises for frail elderly people were effective for vitality and motivation.
