Effects of Upright Body Exercise on Postural Balance and Foot Plantar Pressure in Elderly Women

Abstract

South Korea has become an aging society, with the elderly population (65 years and above) accounting for 12.6% of the total population in 2015. In 2018, it is predicted that South Korea will be an aged society, with the elderly accounting for 14.3% of the population. Furthermore, the elderly population is estimated to account for 24.3% in 2030, making South Korea a super-aged society (Korea Statistics, 2015). The average healthy life expectancy in South Korea is currently 73 years, which is 9.3 years shorter than the average life expectancy of 82.3 years (as of 2016) (WHO, 2016). The life expectancies indicate that about 10 years are spent fighting diseases during the elderly years. Medical costs during this period are rapidly becoming a social problem and reduced physical abilities in the elderly decrease their qualities of life (Kim, Lee, & Lee, 2010). The most prominent problem arising from the decreased independent physical abilities of the elderly is the increase in falls (Regterschot et al., 2014). Falls are the most common problem seen among the elderly, causing small injuries such as bruises and sprains to large injuries such as fractures or dislocations (Rubenstein, 2006). Elderly who experience severe injuries such as pelvic fractures cannot recover their physical abilities (Tinetti, Speechley, & Hinter, 1988). These severe fractures also lead to death in 37% of the elderly (Korea Statistics, 2015). Therefore, falling is a serious issue that influences the satisfaction level of the elderly (WHO, 2008). Elderly women are especially prone to early decreases in lower limb muscle strength compared to men (Cushnaghan, Janet, & Dieppe, 1991), which increases their relative numbers of musculoskeletal diseases such as arthritis, balance problems, and problems in the main joints such as the pelvic and knee joints (Nevitt et al., 1994). Foot health, which is important for balance, is necessary for weight bearing, gait, and other independent activities. Therefore, maintenance of foot health is important for the wellness of the main joints (Kim, Kim, & Bang, 2011). Foot problems may cause foot pain and ankle weakness, which decreases physical abilities, such as stair climbing, in the elderly. Furthermore, foot problems negatively affect the maintenance of body balance (Menz, Hylton, & Lord, 2001) and make gait difficult (Dunn et al., 2004). Foot problems, which are closely related to the overall body balance, cause the body balance to systematically collapse (Eric, 2003). The feet bear the weight of the body. Therefore, problems with the structure of the feet cause body imbalances such as rotation of the trunk or the pelvis. These imbalances cause pain in various parts of the body and affect the chain structure of the knee followed by the waist, pelvis, back, and neck (Cho, 2010). Among the factors that negatively affect balance in the elderly, loss of muscle strength and joint mobility increase the risk of falling. Therefore, maintenance of postural balance through Korean Journal of Sport Biomechanics 2017; 27(1): 59-66 http://dx.doi.org/10.5103/KJSB.2017.27.1.59 http://e-kjsb.org eISSN 2093-9752 ORIGINAL