전신진동운동이 노인의 균형, 근력 및 낙상효능감에 미치는 영향

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of whole body vibration exercise on balance, muscle strength and falls efficacy in the elderly. METHODS: In this blinded randomized allocation study, 27 elderly were assigned to a whole-body vibration exercise group (n=14), consisting of 25 min structured exercises for 2 days per week for 6 weeks and a control group (n=13) performing the same program without vibration. At baseline and after the 6-week intervention, balance was measured using the Korean version of the Berg balance scale (K-BBS), timed up and go (TUG) test and functional reach test (FRT). Muscle strength was determined using the 30-s chair stand test (CST). Fear of falling was assessed using the Korean version of falls efficacy scale (K-FES). Paired t-test and independent t-test were used for within and between group comparisons, respectively. RESULTS: After the intervention, the experimental group showed significantly higher changes in all the parameters (K-BBS score, TUG test, CST, K-FES score) (p .05). CONCLUSION: The whole-body vibration exercise program may be helpful to improve balance, mobility, muscle performance and fear of falling in the elderly.