Efficacy of rhythmic exercise and walking exercise in older adults' exercise participation rates and physical function outcomes. Author: Park YS1,2, Koh K2, Yang JS3, Shim JK2,4,5,6 Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>The Department of Physical Education, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea. <sup>2</sup>The Department of Kinesiology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA. <sup>3</sup>The Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA. <sup>4</sup>Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Graduate Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA. <sup>5</sup>Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA. <sup>6</sup>Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yong-in, Korea. Conference/Journal: Geriatr Gerontol Int. Date published: 2017 Dec Other: Volume ID: 17 , Issue ID: 12 , Pages: 2311-2318 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1111/ggi.13046. Epub 2017 Apr 12. , Word Count: 160 AIM: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of two different exercise types, rhythmic exercise designed from local music and dance (RE) and walking exercise (WE), in terms of exercise participation and physical function changes in older adults over a period of 12 weeks. METHODS: Exercise participation was assessed through the attendance rate and retention rate, and physical function was evaluated through the Short Physical Performance Battery, static balance test and gait test. RESULTS: The RE group showed significantly higher attendance and retention rates; greater improvement in Short Physical Performance Battery scores; and greater improvement in static balance, as compared with the WE. No differences were found between the RE and WE groups in gait parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that RE was more effective than WE in retaining exercise participation and improving physical function in older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 2311-2318. © 2017 Japan Geriatrics Society. KEYWORDS: attendance; physical functions; retention; rhythmic exercise; walking exercise PMID: 28402049 DOI: 10.1111/ggi.13046