| The optimal prevention of osteoporotic fractures in the elderly
consists of increasing the
bone density and preventing falls. We report on the ef?cacy of training
program to promote ambulatory
competence in elderly women. Twenty-?ve elderly women were enrolled in
our training program,
which is a three-month program consisting of dynamic balance training with
Galileo 900 (Novotec,
Pforzheim, Germany) once a week, combined with daily static balance (standing
on one leg like a ?amingo)
and resistance (half-squat) trainings. The mean age of the participants
was 72.8 years (range,
61?86 years). After 3 months of training, the step length, knee extensor
muscle strength, and maximum
standing time on one leg were signi?cantly increased, while the walking
speed and hip ?exor muscle
strength were not signi?cantly altered. During the study period, no serious
adverse events such as new
vertebral fractures or adverse cardiovascular symptoms were observed in
any participant. The present
preliminary study shows that our training program may have the potential
to promote ambulatory
competence in elderly women. (Keio J Med 53 (2): 85?89, June 2004) |
