J Korean Acad Nurs.  2004 Feb;34(1):123-131.

The Effects of a Stretching Exercise Program in Elderly Women

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Nursing, College of Natural Science, Dong-eui University, Korea.
  • 2Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, Pusan National University, Korea. jeongis@pusan.ac.kr

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was aimed to identify the effects of a ten-week stretching exercise program on physiological, psychological functions, and activities of daily living(ADL) among elderly women. METHOD: Using a quasi-experimental design, the experimental group received a ten-week stretching exercise program 3 times a week from March to May in 2002. They were divided into 22 persons in the experimental groups in 2 halls where the program was incorporated, and 22 persons in the control group in 2 halls, where the program wasnot incorporated. Data was analyzed with descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, Fisher's Exact test, and ANCOVA was considered significant as a 2-tailed test. RESULT: There was a significant improvement in diastolic blood pressure(P=0.023), total cholesterol (P=0.019), triglycerides (P=0.002), spine ROM(P=0.000), trunk and hip-joint ROM(P=0.000), percent of body fat(P=0.039) as physiological functions, depression(P=0.041) as a psychological function, and activities of daily living(P=0.001) in the experimental group compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: A stretching exercise program showed good effects on improving physiological functions, psychological functions and activities of daily living among the elderly women in a city. Therefore, we recommend this program be utilized as a health promoting program for the elderly in the community.

Keyword

Stretch; Exercise; Elderly; Women

MeSH Terms

Activities of Daily Living
Aged
*Exercise
Female
*Health Promotion
Humans
*Physical Fitness
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