Effects of a Physical Exercise Program on Physiological, Psychological, and Physical Function of Older Adults in Rural Areas

Abstract

With the increase in the older population, there is a concern for health in older adults. This study aimed to develop a physical exercise program that combined walking and gymnastics for older adults residing in rural areas and to evaluate its effect on their physiological and psychological health and physical function. A quasi-experimental design was adopted. Participants were aged 65 years or older, with 94 and 130 participants in the experimental and control group, respectively. The program was implemented for seven months, from April–October 2016. Walking and gymnastics were performed once a week each, for about 60 and 50 min, respectively. Data were analyzed using the Chi-squared test, Fisher’s exact test, independent t-test, or Mann–Whitney U test. Results revealed that the experimental group participants displayed improved waist circumference (t = 1.70, p = 0.045), body mass index (U = 4691.00, p = 0.002), depressive symptoms (t = −2.94, p = 0.002), upper limb strength (t = 2.27, p = 0.012), and lower limb strength (t = 3.86, p < 0.001). Therefore, it can be presumed that the physical exercise program was effective and beneficial for older adults living in rural areas. This program is expected to contribute to maintaining and improving their health if implemented regularly in the future.

Effects of a nurse-led multicomponent intervention for frail older adults living alone in a community: a quasi-experimental study

“…Previous studies from other ethnic groups have reported that multicomponent interventions significantly improve participants' frailty levels compared to single interventions [14,16]. Regrettably, majority of the studies conducted in the Korean community settings have conducted a single intervention program such as exercise [26,27], or have investigated the effects of an intervention prefrail frail adults merely on the basis of physical or psychological [18,[26][27][28]. The studies did not consider or measure the impacts of socialization in individuals participating in the interventions.…”

Effect of Aerobic, Resistance, and Combined Exercise Training on Depressive Symptoms, Quality of Life, and Muscle Strength in Healthy Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…Nineteen other papers were excluded because of the following reasons: (a) did not include a control group (Azizan & Justine, 2016; Dionigi, 2007; Fremont & Craighead, 1987; Legrand & Mille, 2009; Meigh et al, 2021; Meneghini et al, 2020; Motl et al, 2005; Pieczyńska et al, 2021; Wikman et al, 2017; Yadav & Agashe, 2018), (b) used various exercise interventions (Brittle et al, 2009; Brown et al, 2009; Chou et al, 2004; Dechamps et al, 2010; Ng et al, 2017), (c) insufficient or irrelevant data (Martins et al, 2011; McCann & Holmes, 1984), (d) subjects with mean age <60 years (Bernard et al, 2015), and (e) control group participants were active (Conradsson et al, 2010). Eighteen studies (Ansai & Rebelatto, 2015; Antunes et al, 2005; Bouaziz et al, 2019; Cassilhas et al, 2007; Clegg et al, 2014; Cunha et al, 2021; bib_Damush_and_Damush_1999Damush & Damush, 1999; Emery & Gatz, 1990; Kekäläinen et al, 2018; Kim et al, 2019, 2021; Kuo et al, 2018; Paw et al, 2004; Pedersen et al, 2017; Sahin et al, 2018; Solà-Serrabou et al, 2019; Swoap et al, 1994; Vankova et al, 2014) met our inclusion criteria and were entered in the meta-analysis (Figure 1). Studies were carried out in Brazil (4), the USA (3), South Korea (2), and one each in the UK, Finland, China, Netherland, Denmark, Turkey, Spain, France, and Czech.…”

“…The intervention period for the included articles ranged from 8 to 36 weeks. Of the 18 included articles, 7 (Antunes et al, 2005; Bouaziz et al, 2019; Emery & Gatz, 1990; Kim et al, 2021; Kuo et al, 2018; Swoap et al, 1994; Vankova et al, 2014) involved aerobic training, 8 (Cassilhas et al, 2007; Clegg et al, 2014; Cunha et al, 2021; bib_Damush_and_Damush_1999Damush & Damush, 1999; Kekäläinen et al, 2018; Kim et al, 2019; Sahin et al, 2018; Solà-Serrabou et al, 2019) examined resistance training, one (Pedersen et al, 2017) examined combined resistance and team sport exercises, and 2 (Ansai & Rebelatto, 2015; Paw et al, 2004) examined isolated aerobic, resistance or functional and combined aerobic plus resistance or functional training. Of included studies, 13 (Ansai & Rebelatto, 2015; Bouaziz et al, 2019; Clegg et al, 2014; Emery & Gatz, 1990; Kekäläinen et al, 2018; Kim et al, 2021; Kuo et al, 2018; Paw et al, 2004; Pedersen et al, 2017; Sahin et al, 2018; Solà-Serrabou et al, 2019; Swoap et al, 1994; Vankova et al, 2014) recruited both males and females, 3 (Cunha et al, 2021; bib_Damush_and_Damush_1999Damush & Damush, 1999; Kim et al, 2019) exclusively recruited female subjects, and 2 (Antunes et al, 2005; Cassilhas et al, 2007) exclusively recruited male subjects.…”

“…Regarding the impacts of aerobic, resistance or combined exercise training on depressive symptoms and quality of life, numerous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (Ansai & Rebelatto, 2015; Bouaziz et al, 2019; Cunha et al, 2021; Emery & Gatz, 1990; Kim et al, 2021) have been conducted. However, their conclusions are not entirely in agreement.…”

Association between Walking Habit and Physical Frailty among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

“…Earlier investigations revealed that participating in gymnastics classes improved quality of life, ikigai (positive attitude) [ 27 ], and exercise self-efficacy [ 28 ], suggesting that the combined use of gymnastics has a positive impact on mental health. Lower-limb muscle strength, a factor associated with exercise tolerance, is improved by strength training and gymnastics [ 29 , 30 ]. The presence of these in combination with walking in our W + O subjects may thus have resulted in better mental status and muscle strength plus reduced exhaustion.…”