Research Paper
Year: 2021 | Month: March | Volume: 8 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 665-671
Effect of Stretching and Strengthening Exercises on Mobility among the Elderly
R. Gomathy1, D. Karaline Karunagari2
1Ph.D Scholar, Rani Meyyammai College of Nursing, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar -608002, Tamilnadu, India.
2Professor, Former Principal, Rani Meyyammai College of Nursing, Annamalai University -608002, Tamilnadu, India.
Corresponding Author: R. Gomathy
ABSTRACT
Aim: Ageing is associated with a decline in many body functions; it is accompanied by a physiological change in the muscles, bones and joints that affect mobility and which can ultimately affect the independence of older people mobility. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of stretching and strengthening exercises on mobility among the elderly.
Material and Method: A true experimental study included 140 elderly participants from the five different old age homes in Puducherry using a stratified random sampling technique and then randomized into the interventional group (N=70) and control group(N=70). The demographic and clinical variables were collected at the baseline and also the mobility level was assessed using the Timed Get Up and Go Test (TUG) and 6-minute walk test (6MWT). The interventional group participants have received the stretching and strengthening exercises for 3 months but the control group participants received the routine care. The posttest was conducted after 3 months of intervention. The collected data were compiled and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Result: The pretest mean TUG score was 17.07sec and 16.53sec in the interventional and control groups, respectively. Regarding the mean 6MWT distance was 305.80m and 324m in the interventional and control group, respectively. After an intervention, the mean TUG score was 14.84sec in the interventional group and 17.06 sec in the control group which was statistically significant at p<0.05 level. Besides, the mean 6MWT distance of the interventional group was 419.03m but in the control group, it was 300.40m which was significant at p< 0.001 level.
Conclusion: The above findings indicated that stretching and strengthening exercises were very effective in decreasing the TUG score and increasing the 6MWT distance score among the interventional group participants when compared to the control group participants.
Keywords: Elderly, mobility, stretching exercise, strengthening exercise, timed up and go test, 6 minutes walk test.
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