Development of an exercise program for the elderly people based on evaluation utilizing optical topography

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K20090
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 59030:Physical education, and physical and health education-related
• Research Institution: Tokai Gakuen University
• Principal Investigator: Maruyama Yuji 東海学園大学, スポーツ健康科学部, 教授 (70587930)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 高齢者 / 運動 / 映像 / 体力 / 脳血流 / 男性 / 離島

Outline of Final Research Achievements

A study was conducted to develop an exercise program for elderly individuals based on evaluation using NIRS. The effectiveness of a video exercise program was tested among elderly residents of remote islands. The program consisted of locally developed physical exercises and calisthenics training aimed at improving muscle strength. Participants in the exercise group received a DVD with instructions to practice at home for two months. Effectiveness was assessed using physical fitness tests, questionnaire surveys, and functional near-infrared spectroscopy . The control group only underwent physical fitness tests . Physical fitness measurements showed a statistically significant difference in the mean time taken to walk a 10m obstacle course before and after the intervention in both groups. Although the exercise interventions did not demonstrate adequate effectiveness, enabling elderly individuals to exercise at home could serve as a potential model for remote exercise interventions.

Free Research Field

ヘルスプロモーション

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

映像による運動介入の検証は行われているが、離島に在住する男性高齢者を対象にしたものは見当たらない。また、離島において効果判定に脳血流変化を用いた研究も行われていない。本研究の結果から、自立した生活を送る高齢者を対象とした場合、シングルタスクよりも軽強度の運動をしながらのデュアルタスクの方が、脳血流変化が大きいことが明らかとなった。自立高齢者を対象とした認知症予防のための運動プログラムに反映させることが可能となる。今後は、各専門家と連携した共同研究を進めていく必要がある。