The Influence of Short-term Aquatic Training on Obstacle Crossing in Gait by the Elderly

• Published in: Journal of Physical Therapy Science Vol. 26; no. 8; pp. 1219 - 1222
• Main Authors: Lim, Hee Sung, Yoon, Sukhoon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Japanese
• Published: Japan The Society of Physical Therapy Science 2014
• Subjects: Elderly gait stability; Obstacle-crossing in gait; Original; The elderly fall; The elderly fall; Obstacle-crossing in gait; Elderly gait stability
• ISSN: 0915-5287; 2187-5626
• DOI: 10.1589/jpts.26.1219

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the fall-prevention effect of 12 weeks of aquatic training for the elderly using variables representative of the relationship between the trailing foot and an obstacle. [Subjects] Ten healthy elderly participants, who lived in C city, (age: 77.15±5.21 yrs, height: 149.87±3.54 cm, body mass: 57.44 ±6.74, and BMI: 25.58±2.98 kg/m2), participated in this study. [Methods] To determine the effect of 12 weeks’ aquatic training, 3-D motion analysis with 7 infrared cameras and one force plate, was performed. [Results] TC, HC, MVHC, and CV significantly increased after intervention. For the all gait stability parameters, statistically significant training effects were found. [Conclusion] In conclusion, 12 weeks’ aquatic exercise can help the elderly become more stable when crossing a height obstacle, which is the most frequent cause of falls by the elderly.