title: The effects of complex exercise on walking ability during direction change and falls efficacy in the elderly.
abstract: [Purpose] This study was to assessed the efficacy of a complex exercise program for the elderly, with respect to the effects on walking ability during direction change and on falls efficacy. [Subjects] In total, 40 subjects were selected for this study and assigned randomly to either a complex exercise (n = 20) or a general exercise (n = 20) group. [Methods] The complex exercise consisted of resistance and aerobic exercises. The exercise program was conducted three times a week for eight weeks. We assessed outcome measures of the four square step test, the figure-of-8 walk test, and the falls efficacy scale. [Results] After the intervention, the four step square test, figure-of-8 walk test, and falls efficacy scale values increased significantly in both the complex exercise program and general exercise groups. The complex exercise group showed a more significant improvement than the general exercise group in the figure-of-8 walk test step and falls efficacy scale scores. [Conclusion] Complex exercise improved walking ability during direction change and falls efficacy in elderly individuals.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Physical Therapy, Daejeon University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun Seung
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, Howon University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jin Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: Complex exercise; Falls efficacy; Gait