EFFECT OF EXERCISES ON DUAL-TASK WALKING IN ELDERLY WOMEN

Abstract

Exercises are an important factor to reduce risk of falling in elderly. Therefore, the study of exercise patterns on walking performance would be a guideline for selecting suitable exercises in young elderly. The objective of the study were comparisons of walking performance via timed up and go test (TUGT), timed up and go test add to motor task (TUGT-motor), and timed up and go test add to cognitive task (TUGT-cognitive) between 3 groups of elderly. Sixty-three elderly females aged between 60-69 years were included in the study. They were separated in groups of Tai-Chi exercise, walking exercise, and control. Participants were randomly measured TUGT, TUGT-motor, and TUGT-cognitive. Statistical analysis was the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for comparing walking performance between 3 groups of elderly. Results showed that TUGT and TUGT-cognitive had significant difference between groups of Tai-Chi and control, also between walking and control. TUGT-motor showed significant difference between groups of walking and control. In conclusion, female elderly who have Tai-Chi and walking exercises, they showed tendency to have good performance of walking and walking with dual tasks. The further study suggests to measure agility and pattern of movement during walking in elderly.