Shigematsu Ryosuke, Okura Tomohiro
Faculty of Education, Mie University, Tsu-city, Mie Prefecture, Japan 514-8507.
Aging Clin Exp Res. 2006 Jun;18(3):242-8. doi: 10.1007/BF03324655.
Many falls in the elderly are caused by tripping. After tripping, a certain level of lower-extremity functional fitness is necessary, in order to make protective responses and to avoid falling. The purpose of this study was to test whether our new exercise program (a square-stepping exercise: SSE) would improve lower-extremity functional fitness in the elderly.
Fifty-two individuals aged 60-80 years were divided into two groups (non-randomized control design); SSE (n=26) and controls (n=26). Lower-extremity functional fitness was defined as standing up from a lying position (agility), chair-stand in ten seconds (leg power), walking round two cones (locomotion speed), sit-and-reach (flexibility) and single-leg balance with eyes closed (balance). The SSE group participated in a six-month regimen of SSE once a week. SSE was performed on a thin mat of 250 cm by 100 cm, partitioned into 40 small squares (25 cm each side). SSE included not only forward steps but also backward, lateral and oblique steps, and step patterns were progressively made more complicated. Controls maintained their usual lifestyles.
In the SSE group, significant improvements were observed in agility, leg power, locomotion speed, flexibility and balance. No significant changes were detected in any tests in the control group.
The SSE program improved lower-extremity functional fitness, lack of which constitutes a risk factor for falls in the elderly. This program should be tested further to determine if it can effectively reduce the incidence of falls in the elderly.
老年人的许多跌倒都是由绊倒引起的。绊倒后，需要一定水平的下肢功能适应性，以便做出保护性反应并避免跌倒。本研究的目的是测试我们新的锻炼计划（方形踏步锻炼：SSE）是否能改善老年人的下肢功能适应性。
52名年龄在60 - 80岁之间的个体被分为两组（非随机对照设计）；SSE组（n = 26）和对照组（n = 26）。下肢功能适应性被定义为从卧位站起（敏捷性）、十秒内从椅子上站起（腿部力量）、绕过两个锥体行走（运动速度）、坐位体前屈（柔韧性）以及闭眼单腿平衡（平衡能力）。SSE组每周进行一次为期六个月的SSE锻炼方案。SSE在一块250厘米×100厘米的薄垫子上进行，该垫子被划分为40个小方块（每边25厘米）。SSE不仅包括向前踏步，还包括向后、侧向和斜向踏步，并且步型逐渐变得更加复杂。对照组维持其通常的生活方式。
在SSE组中，观察到敏捷性、腿部力量、运动速度、柔韧性和平衡能力有显著改善。对照组的任何测试中均未检测到显著变化。
SSE锻炼方案改善了下肢功能适应性，而下肢功能适应性不足是老年人跌倒的一个风险因素。该方案应进一步测试，以确定它是否能有效降低老年人跌倒的发生率。
