title: [The evaluation of the relationships between physical factors and effects of exercise intervention on physical functions in community-dwelling older people].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It is necessary to determine the effect of exercise on each individual in order to target a person for an exercise regimen intended to prevent specific health defects in the elderly. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between physical conditions and changes in functional measurements after exercise intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred seventy-six subjects aged 60 years and older practiced exercise intervention for three months. The measurements were maximal walking speed, one-leg standing with eyes opened or closed, functional reach test, timed up and go test, sit and reach, handgrip strength, and knee extensor strength. We evaluated the associations between physical measurements and changes in functional measurements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Except for one-leg standing with eyes closed, all measurements of physical function were significantly improved after exercise intervention. The changes in functional measurements showed significant negative correlations with the initial physical performance measurements, except for maximal walking velocity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results provided valuable information on more effective strategies for improving or maintaining physical functions of community-dwelling older people. Comprehensive approaches that adapt the methods of training to the fitness level of each subject are needed to effectively improve the physical function of older people.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Medical Science, Kitasato University.
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Arai
authors.forename: Shuichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Obuchi
authors.forename: Motonaga
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kojima
authors.forename: Yuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Matumoto
authors.forename: Yasuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Inaba
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012111:Residence Characteristics