title: Effects of Intervention with To-balance Exercise on the Elderly Requiring Assistance and Lower Levels of Care.
abstract: [Purpose] To examine the effects of intervention combining individualized and group rhythm (To-balance) exercises on the mental and physical functions of the elderly requiring low level care. [Subjects] A total of 29 elderly persons requiring level 2 assistance to level 2 who were and using outpatient care services participated in this study. [Methods] The participants were randomly allocated to 2 groups: To-balance, and Sitting. The former group performed individualized and To-balance group exercises, while the latter group performed individualized exercise, as well as group exercise while sitting on a chair. The effects were evaluated through somatometric, physical fitness, and mental function measurements before and 3, 6, and 9 months after the initiation of the intervention. [Results] The lower-limb muscle strength and mental function significantly improved in both groups. Particularly, in the To-balance group, early improvement in balance and gait ability were observed. [Conclusion] The To-balance exercise may be useful for quickly improving the elderly's static balance ability.
authors.affiliation: Fujita Health University School of Health Sciences, Japan ; Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshikiyo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kanada
authors.affiliation: Fujita Health University School of Health Sciences, Japan ; Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sakurai
authors.affiliation: Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Japan ; Department of Rehabilitation, Health Care Service Facility for the Aged, Tobahouwaen, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshito
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sugiura
keywords: Balance ability; Elderly persons; Rhythm exercises