Decline in Age-associated Functional Fitness after a 10 year Peer-instructed Community-based Exercise Program

摘要

Objective: To determine changes in functional fitness of older adults following 10 years of peer-instructed community-based exercise program participation. Subjects: Eighteen participants (65.6±8.3 yr) were assessed at pre-intervention (T1), post-12 weeks (T2), and post-10 years (T3). Method: General physical parameters, functional strength (Arm Curl , Chair Stand ), flexibility (Back Scratch , Sit & Reach ), balance (functional reach ), agility (Up & Go ), and endurance (12-min walk ) were measured. After completion of an initial 12-wk of professionally-supervised community-based exercises (aerobic, resistance, flexibility and balance), the participants continued the exercises under the guidance of similarly-aged peer-instructors for the next 10 years which consisted of 10 min of warm-up, 30 min of elastic band-based resistance exercise, 10 min of balance exercise and 10 min of cool-down exercises (excluding any formal aerobic exercises), twice a week at a local community center. Results: Changes in AC (?3.0%), CS (?5.8%), SR (+7.1%), BS (?49.3%) and UG (?36.2%) over 10 years were not significant (P>0.05). However, a significant (P<0.05) decline was noted in 12-MW (?18.8%) and FR (?22.7%) over 10 years. Conclusion: Peer-instructed community-based exercises are useful in attenuating the age-associated decline in muscular strength, flexibility, and agility over an extended period of time.