The Effect Of Self-compiled Elastic-band Gymnastics On Physical Fitness Of Community-dwelling Elderly

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of self-compiled elastic-band gymnastics on physical fitness of older adults in the community.METHODS: 42 community-dwelling elderly were recruited in this study, and randomly divided into two groups: the control group(n = 20)and the intervention group(n = 22). In the control group, health education was applied. While in the intervention group, 4-week(5 sessions per week) self-compiled elastic-band gymnastics training, which consists of aerobics, resistance, flexibility and balance training, was added except the same treatment as the control group. Physical fitness test was performed before and after the invention for both two groups, which is presented as follows. 6-minute walk test(6MWT) and 2-minute Step Test(2MST)were performed to evaluate the cardiorespiratory fitness. 30-second Arm Curl Test(30s-ACT) and 30-second Chair Stand Test(30s-CST) were performed to evaluate the muscular strength. Back Scratch Test,Modified Trunk Rotation Test and Chair Sit-and-reach Test were performed to evaluate the flexibility level. 2.4m Timed up and go test(2.4m-TUGT), Functional Reach Test and Eye-closed Single-Leg Stance test were performed to evaluate the Balance fitness.RESULTS: After receiving a 4-week self-compiled elastic-band gymnastics training, the intervention group displayed a significant increase in the cardiorespiratory fitness: 6MWT(Δ26.77±40.00 meters vsΔ5.83±21.80 meters, P<0.05), 2MST(Δ13.77±12.14 times vsΔ4.55±11.46 times, P<0.05), the muscular stregth: 30s-ACT(Δ3.86±3.75 times vs Δ-0.55±3.36 times, P<0.01),30s-CST(Δ4.59±3.43 times vsΔ1.30±3.37 times, P<0.01), the flexibility level: Back scratch test(Left arm, Δ5.30±4.68 centimeters vs Δ0.25±4.07 centimeters, P<0.01; Right arm, Δ4.89±0.86 centimeters vs Δ-0.29±0.45 centimeters, P<0.01), chair sit-and-reach test(Δ4.60±5.82 cm vs Δ-0.33±2.84 cm, P<0.01) and the balance fitness: Eye-closed Single-Leg Stance test(Left leg, Δ7.12±12.47 seconds vs Δ0.82±4.90 seconds, P<0.05; Right leg, Δ5.76±7.10 seconds vs Δ1.25±6.26 seconds, P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS:(1)Self-compiled elastic-band gymnastics significantly improves the physical fitness of community-dwelling elders.(2)Physical fitness test is safe and convenient, and thus can be widely used in assessing the effect of exercise training on physical fitness in community-dwelling elderly people.