[Short and long-term changes in physical functions in the elderly in relation to comprehensive geriatric training]

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the changes of physical functions of subjects who participated in a progressive resistance and balance training program named Comprehensive Geriatric Training (CGT) before and after training, and following lyear.

Sixty-three community-dwelling elderly participated in CGT. Subject's physical functions (muscle strength, balance, walking speed) were measured. Moreover, we interviewed the subjects about their maintenance of exercise after training.

Fifty-five subjects completed CGT, and physical functions were measured in 32 subjects. There were significant differences in all physical functions. In the post-hoc test, there were significant differences between before and after one year (one leg standing with open eyes, flexibility, functional reach, maximum walking speed, timed up and go). Of the 32 subjects, 21 kept training 1 or more days per week after training (TR), but 11 were desisted from training (DT). Between the 2 groups, the main effect at Group, Time, Group x Time interaction were significant with Functional Reach. It was significantly improved after 1 year compared with before training in TR. No physical functions in after 1 year were significantly lower than before training.

The subjects improved, maintained the physical functions through CGT. Moreover, the physical functions after 1 year did not decrease significantly compared to before CGT. It is possible that this program controlled the decrease in physical functions at one year. This program provided an opportunity to begin and continue exercise training, because more than half of the subjects who did not previously exercise regularly continued resistance training.