12週北歐式健走訓練可促進社區高齡者步態

目的 : 探討12週北歐式健走訓練對於社區高齡者步態的影響。方法：70名高齡者分為無任何運動訓練介入的控制組，以及為期12週、每週3次、每次60分鐘的北歐式健走訓練組，訓練前後以光學步態分析系統，量測受試者行走5公尺的步態參數。結果：經12週北歐式健走訓練後，高齡者的步行速度顯著變快6.25 %、步幅顯著變大3.39%、步伐距離顯著變大1.70 % (p < .05)，其他步態參數則無顯著變化 (p > .05)。然而，12週僅維持正常生活作息的控制組，步行速度變慢、步幅變短、步態週期變長、步頻變慢、站立期時間變長、步伐距離變短、步伐時間變長、雙腳支撐期時間變長等衰退現象 (p < .05)。結論：本研究以造成高齡者跌倒的重要因素：「步態」為主題，發現12週、每週3次、每次60分鐘北歐式健走訓練，能提高高齡者的步行速度與步幅，並維持其他步態參數，不因12週時間而有衰退情形；但是，僅維持正常生活作息，未不做任何有指導性專業運動訓練的高齡者，經過12週時間後的步行速度、步幅、步頻、站立期時間、雙腳支撐期時間等步態參數，皆有老化衰退現象。因此，北歐式健走訓練是一項對高齡者的步態，具有維持或促進效益的訓練方式。  Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 12-week Nordic walking training on the gait of the elderly in the community. Methods: 70 elderly people were divided into a control group without any exercise training intervention, and a Nordic walking training group for 12 weeks, 3 times a week, 60 minutes each time. The gait parameters were collected when participants walking for 5 meters, and was analyzed when by the optical gait analysis system before and after intervention. Results: After 12 weeks of Nordic walking training, the walking speed of the elderly was significantly increased by 6.25%, the stride length was significantly increased by 3.39%, and the step length was significantly increased by 1.70% (p< .05). Other gait parameters were not significantly different (p > .05). However, the control group that only maintained a normal daily routine for 12 weeks had a significant decline in gait: the walking speed became slower, the stride length became shorter, the gait cycle became longer, the stride frequency became slower, the stance phase became longer, and the period of double support became longer (p< .05). Conclusions: This study focuses on gait of the elderly, for it is one of the important factors causing falls. It is found that 12 weeks, 3 times a week, 60 minutes of Nordic walking training each time can improve the walking speed and stride length of the elderly, and maintain other gait parameters for 12 weeks. However, the gait parameters (walking speed, stride length, stride frequency, stance phase, period of double support) of the other elderly who are not trained became worse. Therefore, Nordic walking training is a training method that maintains or promotes the gait of the elderly.