| Abstract |
Exercise on a soft surface could significantly improve functional ability
of community-dwelling elderly within 3 weeks
Chonticha Kaewjoho1,2, Sugalya Amatachaya1,2, Thiwabhorn Thaweewannakij1,2, Lugkana Mato1,2, Saowanee Nakmaroeng1,2
1Improvement of Physical Performance and Quality of Life (IPQ) Research Group,
Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002 Thailand
2School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences,
Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002 Thailand
Current methods for functional improvement and fall reduction for elderly commonly involves various types of exercises on hard surfaces. Several studies reported challenging effects of unstable soft surfaces, without clear evidence on the incorporation of soft surfaces to improve functional ability in elderly. This study compared effects of 3-week exercises on a soft surface on function ability relating to levels of independence in 14 elderly using a quasi-experimental design. The participants were trained using a Thai dancing program on a soft surface for 50 minutes/session, 3 times/week over 3 weeks. Before and after the program, participants were assessed using the 10-meter walk test, five times sit-to-stand test, timed up and go test and 6-minute walk test (6MinWT). The dependent samples t-test was used to compare the findings before and after training with the level of statistical significance at p-value<0.05. The results indicated significant improvement in all functional tests, except the 6MinWT. The findings may confirm a high demand of unstable and soft surface that could significantly improve walking, balance and lower limb muscle strength of the participants within 3 weeks. However, the training period may be insufficient to clearly improve endurance of the participants. Therefore, apart from various types of exercise, a soft surface may be applied to promote levels of independence for elderly. However, the effects found in this study were a combination between Thai-dancing and soft surface. Therefore, a further randomized controlled trial is needed to clearly confirm effects of surface and exercise used in the study.
Biography
CK is a current Ph.D. Candidate, in the Human Movement Sciences program, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand. CK is a physiotherapist and interested physical therapy in elderl.
Presenting author details
Full name: Chonticha Kaewjoho
Contact number: +66 00 650 567
Twitter account: -
Linked In account: Chontich@kkumail.com
Session name/number: Physical Therapy/ Advancements in Physiotherapeutic Treatments/ Geriatric Physiotherapy
Category: Poster presentation
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Publication
Journal Publication
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