A Study on Comprehensive Health Assessment Adopting Biological Rhythm in Elderly People.

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The purpose of this study was to examine the physical and psychological effects of long-term exercise for elderly people, and assess the effects of the light exercise program and QOL. Subjects in this study were 23 elderly people with a mean age of 64.1±6.0. They participated in a senior fitness class once a week for 17 months. Physical and psychological measurements were taken about once every four months. QOL was measured at the same time by WHO/Q0L26 and psychological effect was measured by GHQ 30 and using spectral analyses of R-R interval. Participants recorded step count, active hours and sleeping hours by themselves. In the physical measurements, left and right thigh girth, grip strength and sitting trunk flexion significantly improved. GHQ30, R-R interval and WHO/Q0L26 did not change significantly but the ratio of the person with a high score of sleep disturbance in GHQ30 was about 30 percent. It was higher than in the other factors. The step count, active hours and sleeping hours changed in seasons. From these results, it was suggested that the physical indices are a clearer index of change in the group than psychological indices, and one in three persons experienced a sleeping disorder. Yet, attempting to measure QOL is necessary to assess changes in individuals. The fact that participation in the exercise program decreases during the winter season in northern regions may affect the results.