Early Detection of Disability and Health Promotion for Community-dwelling Elderly

Department of Physical Therapy, Tzu Chi University

This study evaluates the effects of exercise intervention on muscle strength and walking speed for the community-dwelling elderly. Half of the participants will receive exercise training, while the other half will maintain their usual activities of daily living.

Physical inactivity can result in physical frailty and sarcopenia. Physical frailty and sarcopenia are two common and mostly overlapping geriatric conditions, which may cause negative consequences of aging, such as disability, hospitalization and mortality.

Regular physical activity has been suggested to maintain or improve functional capacity and body composition, as well as delay aging process. Nevertheless, inactivity prevalence still significantly increases among older adults, especially those with a disability. One of the probable reasons is that the use of physical activities or exercise interventions is not tailored to the needs and capabilities of the elderly.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age greater than 50 years
• able to follow simple instructions
• willing to participate and sign consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

• unstable angina or epilepsy
• severe visual deficits
• cognitive dysfunction
• other musculoskeletal conditions that will limit mobility