Some Effect of Water Exercise Frequency on Functional Mobility in Nursing Care Elderly

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of water exercise, including functional mobility in water, performed either once or twice a week in elderly who require nursing care. Twenty-one subjects were assigned to two groups. Ten subjects trained once a week for 6 months. Eleven subjects trained twice a week for 6 months. Water exercise consisted of warming up on land and walking,ADL exercise,resistance training, stretching and relaxation in water. Functional mobility was evaluated by FIM during pre-exercise,after 3 months and 6 months. There were significant improvements in functional mobility after 6 months compared to pre-exercise in both groups. Functional mobility in the group who trained once a week did not improve at 3 months compared to pre-exercise. Although the group who trained twice a week showed a dramatic improvement in functional mobility after 3 months compared to pre-exercise, and no change after 3 months compared to after 6 months. These results indicate that water exercise once or twice a week for 6 months, including functional mobility in elderly who require nursing care, can improve functional mobility, especially, exercise twice a week could improve it within 3 months.