定向運動介入對社區高齡者身體功能表現之成效

The effectiveness of orienteering exercise on physical performance among community-dwelling older adults

緒論：定向運動是一項結合體能與智能的運動，適合各年齡層參與，但過去研究主針對運動員或學生進行訓練，以改善運動訓練成效及學習成效。此外，定向運動研究顯示，參與後對其生理、認知、心理層面及整體健康具有正面效益，但目前鮮少有定向運動應用於高齡族群之相關研究。因此，本研究旨在探討12週定向運動介入對於社區高齡者身體功能表現之成效，並確定其長期追蹤效果。方法：本研究採非隨機對照試驗設計，於高雄市兩間社區據點招募共80位年滿65歲以上之高齡者為研究對象。實驗組36人，進行12週、每週2次，共24堂的定向運動課程；對照組44人，維持社區原有運動課程安排。本研究針對身體功能表現於介入前、介入後第12週、追蹤第24週進行測量，並比較兩群體於組內及組間之差異，以評估介入成效。結果：組別與時間點第12週的交互作用結果顯示，實驗組在30秒坐站測驗（β= 1.339，p < .05）、30秒手臂彎舉（β= 2.877，p < .001）、坐椅體前彎測驗（β= 2.587，p < .05）、2.44公尺起身繞行（β= -0.781，p < .001）、4公尺步行速度（β= -0.488，p < .01）、8字形步行測驗時間（β= -0.754，p < .001）之身體功能表現顯著高於對照組。組別與時間點第24週的交互作用結果顯示，實驗組在30秒坐站測驗（β= 1.915，p < .05）、30秒手臂彎舉（β= 1.890，p < .05）、2分鐘原地踏步（β= 7.892，p< .05）、2.44公尺起身繞行（β= -0.558，p < .01）、4公尺步行速度（β= -0.515，p < .01）、8字形步行測驗時間（β= -0.720，p < .01）之身體功能表現顯著高於對照組。結論：12週定向運動課程介入對社區高齡者身體功能表現具有顯著改善成效，其效果可追蹤至第24週。本研究針對高齡者設計之定向運動課程，具有推廣至高齡族群之潛力與價值，並且能提供高齡者健康促進方案設計及運動處方之實證依據。

Introduction: Orienteering is a sport that combines physical and cognitive abilities and involves participants across all age groups. However, previous studies have primarily focused on training athletes or students to enhance their performance and learning outcomes. In addition, its positive impacts on physiological, cognitive, and psychological dimensions, and overall health have been evidenced, but there has been limited research specifically targeting the older population. Therefore, the study aimed to examine the interventional effects of a 12-week orienteering program among older adults on their physical performance, with a 24-week follow-up to assess long-term effects. Methods: This study employed a non-randomized controlled trial design. 80 older adults aged 65 and above were recruited from two community centers in Kaohsiung City. The participants were divided into an experimental group (n = 36), which engaged in a 12-week orienteering program consisting of 2 sessions per week for 24 sessions, and a control group (n = 44), which maintained their regular community-scheduled exercises. Physical performance was measured at baseline, week 12, and week 24. The differences within and between the two groups were compared to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. Results: The interaction effect of group and time at the 12th week revealed that the experimental group performed significantly better than the control group in the 30-second chair stand test (β= 1.339, p < .05) , 30-second arm curl test (β= 2.877, p < .001), chair sit-and-reach test (β= 2.587, p < .05), 2.44-meter up-and-go test (β= -0.781, p < .001), 4-meter walk speed test (β= - 0.488, p < .01), and figure-8 walk test (β= -0.754, p < .001). The interaction effect at the 24th week showed that the experimental group's performance remained significantly higher than the control group's in the 30-second chair stand test (β= 1.915, p < .05), 30-second arm curl test (β= 1.890, p < .05), 2-minute step test (β= 7.892, p < .05), 2.44-meter up-and-go test (β= -0.558, p < .01), 4-meter walk speed test (β= -0.515, p < .01), and figure-8 walk test (β= -0.720, p < .01). Conclusion: The 12-week orienteering intervention demonstrates immediate and significant effects for the physical functions among community-dwelling older adults, with these positive effects lasting for at least 24 weeks. The specifically designed orienteering program offers immense potential for enhancing their physical health; in addition, the findings provide valuable evidence for developing a health promotion program for older adults in the community.