ผลของการออกกำลังกายด้วยการแกว่งแขนและการเดินที่มีต่อสุขสมรรถนะของผู้สูงอายุหญิง / เกศินี แซ่เลา = Effects of arm swing exercise and walking on health-related physical fitness of the elderly women /Kesinee Saelao
The purpose of this study was to study the effects of arm swing and walking on health-related physical fitness of the elderly women. The samples consisted of 47 volunteer elderly women ages 60 – 69 years old from applied Ruesee-Dudton club members, Public Health Center 63, Tio Chew Association of Thailand. The subjects were divided into 3 groups by simple random sampling: arm swing exercise group (n=15), walking exercise group (n=17) and walking exercise and arm swing exercise group (n=15). All three experimental groups performed the exercise program for 8 weeks, 3 days per week and 50 minutes a day. Health-related physical fitness was measured during pre-test, mid-test (after 4 weeks) and post-test (after 8 weeks). The obtained data were analyzed in term of mean and standard deviation, one-way analysis of variance, one-way analysis of variance with repeated measure and multiple comparison by using Scheffe method at the .05 level The results were as follow: 1. After 8 weeks of training in all 3 groups, it was found that there were statistical significances (p<0.05) in muscular strength and endurance of legs and balance between group I and II. It was also found that, there were significant differences (p<0.05) in muscular strength and endurance of arms and legs as well as balance between group I and III. 2. After 8 weeks of training in group I, there were significantly increased at the .05 level in muscular strength and endurance, flexibility of the body and balance. In addition, muscular strength and endurance of arms and balance in group II were significantly increased at the .05 level. For group III, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility and maximum oxygen uptake were increased but not found to be any significant differences. Conclusion: It may be concluded that arm swing exercise and walking can improve health-related physical fitness and this form of exercise is an alternative way to exercise for the elderly people.