Square-Stepping Exercise Program Effects on Fall-Related Fitness and BDNF Levels in Older Adults in Korea: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Hyo-Jeong Cha, Kwi-Baek Kim and Seung-Yup Baek
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Hyo-Jeong Cha: Department of Antiaging Healthcare, Changwon National University, Changwon 51140, Korea
Kwi-Baek Kim: Department of Marine Leisure and Tourism, Youngsan University, Busan 50510, Korea
Seung-Yup Baek: Department of Physical Education, Changwon National University, Changwon 51140, Korea

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 12, 1-14

Abstract: The risk of dementia increases with age. To mitigate this risk, we examined the effect of a square-stepping exercise (SSE) program on fall-related fitness and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. Twenty older adults in Korea were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group (each group n = 10). Participants performed SSE for 70 min per session, twice a week, for 12 weeks with a certified instructor. The average age of the participants was 74.80 ± 6.763 years in the exercise group and 72.50 ± 6.519 years in the control group. The experiment group showed significant improvement ( p < 0.01) in the lower muscle strength post-intervention. The paired t -test revealed a significant improvement ( p < 0.01) in the experimental group and a significant difference in the interaction effect ( p < 0.01) in the BDNF levels. There was a significant improvement ( p < 0.05) in the BDNF levels in the experimental group and a significant decrease ( p < 0.05) in the control group. The SSE program had a positive effect on fall-related fitness and BDNF levels.

Keywords: muscle strength; leg strength; balance; neurodegenerative disease; cognitive function (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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