EFFECT OF LOW INTENSITY AEROBIC EXERCISE ON MUSCLE STRENGTH, FLEXIBILITY, AND BALANCE AMONG SEDENTARY ELDERLY PERSONS.
Contributors: Case Western Reserve University.
Published: 1991
Number of pages: 137
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a low intensity aerobic exercise program on muscle strength and flexibility of the lower extremities and balance among sedentary elderly persons. Proprioception, vibratory sensation, and visual acuity were assessed and statistically controlled for when they were significantly related to the dependent variables. Using Birren and Renner's (1977) use/disuse theory, the low aerobic exercise program was expected to increase balance and perception of balance and increase flexibility and muscle strength of the knees and ankles.

This pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study consisted of 47 sedentary subjects not engaged in regular exercise and living in metropolitan housing in southwestern Ohio. Convenience sampling was used with two apartment complexes randomly assigned to the experimental or comparison groups. To prevent diffusion of treatment, subjects were assigned to these groups depending on their place of residence. The 20 experimental subjects, with a mean age of 75.3, participated in eight weeks of low intensity exercise while the comparison group (n = 20), with a mean age of 74.8, maintained their usual level of activity for eight weeks.

The low intensity aerobic exercise program was three times a week for eight weeks. Experimental subjects also did the exercises on their own between classes. The program consisted of stretching and strengthening exercises for the lower extremities, and, except for two exercises, they were done while sitting in a chair.

The exercise group had significantly greater flexibility of the ankles and the right knee than the comparison group. No significant differences were found between the groups for muscle strength. Although balance and perception of balance were not significantly different between the groups, the experimental group improved their balance by 22.4% from pretest. This study demonstrated that sedentary elders can safely perform these exercises, find them easy to do, and are able to fit them into their daily routine.

Replication of this study should be done with different populations of sedentary elders and with longer duration for the exercise program. These may increase the effect of the program.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 52-07, Section: B, page: 3530.

Thesis (PH.D.)--CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY (HEALTH SCIENCES), 1991.

School code: 0499.