Development of new usage of a large ball: ~ dynamic ball, safe for the elderly ~@@@～高齢者も安全に活用できるダイナミックボール～

Abstract

Nowadays, health enhancement of the elderly has become a more and more important issue, and it is required to develop a method of exercise which is both safe and pleasant. A large ball is popular as a tool for exercise, but due to its characteristics of the need for keeping balance, bouncing and rolling, some difficulties are encountered in applying it to group exercise in an exercise class for the elderly who have difficulty in keeping balance from the view point of assuring safety. We therefore developed a method of using a large ball for exercise which can be safely carried out in a group of elderly persons. It is “dynamic ball” which uses a tire and a large ball stacked together in two tier. We actually carried out an inquiry survey in cooperation with 50 middle-aged and elderly persons who participate in an exercise class at J university, who experienced the exercise. In the cohort under 74 years of age, 95% (39) of persons answered that the dynamic ball exercise was very pleasant or pleasant. In the cohort above 75 years of age 100% (9) of persons answered in the same way. They also answered that the exercise was very safe, or safe for the elderly.