PURPOSE: The purpose was to compare the magnitude of lower-leg training program and thigh muscle training program to ADL-related functional fitness changes for community-dwelling elderly Japanese women.
METHODS: After giving written informed consent, the subjects, unable to stand on one leg for more than 25 seconds with their eyes open, were divided into a lower-leg training group (LLG; 10 females, 72.9±4.2 yrs, BMI 22.1±1.8) and a thigh muscle training group (TMG; 10 females, 70.6±2.5 yrs, BMI 22.1±1.2). The program was 60min. two times per week for 16 weeks. Each training program consisted of three parts. At first, participants learned about management skills for their physical stiffness. Secondly, they learned each resistance program. LLG participated in the program using unstable disk and elastic band. TMG learned program was to strengthen their thigh muscles with elastic band. Finally, both groups learned a three-minute arm and leg combined exercise program with music. Participants were asked to follow their learned management skill program and resistance program every day and check it on the card. ADL-related functional fitness(sitting & standing time, zig-zag walking time, self-care working time), dynamic balance ability which measured by one-leg standing time with their eyes open and knee extension strength was evaluated. Each measurement items were assessed before and after the intervention period. Student’s t-test and two-way repeated measures ANOVA were used to test the effectiveness.
RESULTS: The class participation rates were 82± 4% and 81± 8% and home participation rates were 76± 10% and 72± 15% respectively. ADL-related functional fitness of TMG improved significantly compared to LLG; Sitting & standing time (TMG: 18.6±7.4 to 13.4±6.1 sec., LLG: 16.3±7.4 to 13.8± 5.7sec., F=18.00, P=0.033), self-care working time ( TMG: 16.3±5.3 to 11.3±3.2sec., LLG: 16.1±3.2 to 14.9±4.3sec., F=17.00,P=0.026), zig-zag walking time( TMG: 15.6±7.2 to 14.2±5.5sec., LLG: 14.2±3.2 to 12.6±3.0ec., F=0.043,P=0.838). Knee extension strength improved significantly in TMG (P=0.029). One-leg standing time with their eyes open improved in LLG(P=0.038)
CONCLUSIONS: Thigh-muscle training was found more effective to improve ADL-related functional fitness than lower-leg muscles for community-dwelling females.