Author: Mieko Yokozuka1, Kanako Okazaki2, Masayuki Hoshi2, Ayumi Shiine3, Tomoko Fukumoto4
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> Department of Physical Therapy, Fukushima Medical University School of Health Sciences, 10-6 Sakae-machi, Fukushima City, Fukushima, 960-8516, Japan. yokozuka@fmu.ac.jp.
<sup>2</sup> Department of Physical Therapy, Fukushima Medical University School of Health Sciences, 10-6 Sakae-machi, Fukushima City, Fukushima, 960-8516, Japan.
<sup>3</sup> Health Promotion Division, Public Health Center, Health and Welfare Department, 2-15-1 Asahi Koriyama, Koriyama City, Fukushima, 963-8024, Japan.
<sup>4</sup> Integrated Community Care System Promotion Division, Health and Welfare Department, 1-23-7 Asahi Koriyama, Koriyama City, Fukushima, 963-8601, Japan.
Conference/Journal: BMC Geriatr
Date published: 2022 Oct 21
Other:
Volume ID: 22 , Issue ID: 1 , Pages: 814 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1186/s12877-022-03509-2. , Word Count: 282
Background:
The effects of physical fitness and age on motor function in older adults who continue to exercise remain unclear. This study aimed to examine the effects of participation in self-management exercise groups in adults aged ≥65 years.
Methods:
The motor functions of 372 citizens who participated in a self-management exercise group for 1 year were examined. The motor functions were assessed by measuring grip strength, five-repetition sit-to-stand test, 5-m fastest walking time (walking time) and timed up and go test. The participants were grouped according to their baseline grip strength (low or high grip strength groups). The baseline parameters were compared to those assessed 1 year after group participation. In addition, the rates of long-term care/support need certification were examined at 2-year follow-up.
Results:
In the low grip strength group aged ≥75 years, the grip strength of men, and grip strength and five-repetition sit-to-stand test results of women improved after 1 year. In the high grip strength group, the five-repetition sit-to-stand and timed up and go test results of men aged 65-74 years and five-repetition sit-to-stand test results of men aged ≥75 years improved. Among women in the high grip strength group, grip strength, five-repetition sit-to-stand test, walking time, and timed up and go test results improved in the participants aged 65-74 and ≥ 75 years. The number of new long-term care/support need certifications was comparable in both groups.
Conclusions:
Participation in self-management exercise groups led to maintaining or improving physical fitness among community-dwelling-older adults. Furthermore, higher baseline grip strength was associated with improvements in many motor functions; therefore, participation in self-management exercise groups before the onset of functional decline is desirable.
Keywords: Community-dwelling; Exercise group; Older adults; Participation; Self-management.
PMID: 36271331 PMCID: PMC9587684 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-022-03509-2