日間照顧中心高齡者參與體適能活動對身心健康之影響

The Influence of a Physical Fitness Program on the Physical and Mental Health of Older Adults at Day-care Centers

良好的體適能得以減少高齡者慢性疾病的發生、降低死亡的風險，並提升其日常生活功能的獨立與自主能力，本研究目的為探討體適能活動介入對日間照顧中心高齡者身心健康之影響。採橫斷式單組前後測設計（the one-group pretest posttest design），邀請臺中地區日間照顧中心之高齡者自願參與，進行生理功能檢測合格者始能參與為期10 週的體適能活動，最後收案有效樣本為50 位。結果：參加活動之19 位男性與31 位女性高齡者，平均年齡為81±7.4 歲；體適能活動介入後，簡式健康量表（BSRS-5）總分呈顯著性差異（t=4.76, p＜0.001），功能性體適能檢測項目前後測亦達顯著性差異，包含：30 秒椅子站立檢測（t=-4.77, p＜0.001）、肱二頭肌手臂屈舉（t=-2.71, p＜0.01）、抓背檢測（t=4.20, p＜0.001）、坐姿體前彎檢測（t=-3.18, p＜0.01）、2.44 公尺椅子坐起繞物檢測（t=4.40, p＜0.001）、2 分鐘屈膝抬腿檢測（t=-4.94, p＜0. 001）。體適能介入能提升日間照顧中心高齡者體適能與身心健康，建議社區持續辦理高齡者體適能活動，並培養高齡者平時運動與活動的習慣。

Older adults with a high level of physical fitness have a decreased risk of chronic diseases and death, and are more independent in their daily activities. Given this rationale, the present study explored the influence of physical fitness activities on older adults at a day care center. A cross-sectional one-group pretest-posttest design was used to recruit older adults at a day care center in Taichung in central Taiwan. All subjects underwent a physiological function test; only those who passed the test (n=50) were invited to a physical fitness program that spanned 10 weeks. Results: The 50 subjects (of whom 19 are male and 31 are female), who participated in the physical fitness program, had a mean age of 81±7.4 years. The total Brief Symptom Rating Scale (BSRS-5) score showed significant pre- and post-test differences after the intervention of the physical fitness program (t=4.76, p＜0.001). Significant pre- and post-test differences were also found in the following functional fitness tests: chair stand(t=-4.77, p＜0.001), arm curl (t=-2.71, p＜0.01), back scratch (t=4.20, p＜0.001), chair sit-and-reach (t=-3.18, p＜0.01), 8-foot up-and-go(t=4.40, p＜0.001), and 2-minute step (t=-4.94, p＜0.001). Older adults can improve their physical and mental wellbeing by participating in physical fitness activities. Thus, community authorities should host physical fitness activities consistently for the elderly, thereby facilitating them in developing exercise habits.