부산대학교 도서관

Background: Sterk og stødig (Strong and steady) is a Norwegian group exercise program to prevent functional decline in home-dwelling older adults. The program is led by volunteer instructors in close cooperation with physiotherapists. Aim: To evaluate if 12 weeks of Sterk og stødig group training once or twice weekly could improve physical function and reduce fear of falling among the participants in a Norwegian suburban Municipality. Design: Pre-post design. Objective and method: 78 group participants agreed to undergo tests for physical function (30 second sit-to-stand, Single leg stance with eyes open, 4 meter walking speed) and a questionnaire about fear of faalling (Falls Efficacy Scale International). For repeated measurements we used paired t-test and Wilcoxon, and independent sample t-test and Mann Whitney U-test to compare groups. Results: Mean age was 76.3 year (± 6.6), 81% female. After 12 weeks the participants increased 30 seconds sit-to stand with 1.2 times (95% CI 0.6, 1.9) and walking speed with 0.11 m/s (95% CI 0.07, 0.15) and showed no change in concern about falling. There was no difference in the results between those who participated once or twice weekly. Conclusion: The participants showed increased physical function after 12 weeks group exercise. Sterk og stødig is an example of how physiotherapists through cooperation with volunteer instructors can provide weekly preventive group exercise to even more home-dwelling older adults.