Abstract:
The general objective of the study was to assess effects of group squat exercise to perform activities of daily living and physical independence in elderly people from Health Centers in Bangkok. This research study was conducted as a quasi experiment research with pretest-posttest design on intervention and control group. The study used simple random sampling by lottery without replacement to select the participants in both groups. In the intervention group, out of 41 participants, 36 completed the program to the end. In the control group, out of 41 participants, 35 completed the program to the end. Data were collected by constructed questionnaire and analyzed by percentage, arithmetic mean, standard deviation, the independent t-test, the Pair t-test, and the Factorial ANOVA. The data were analyzed by using level of significance at 0.05. The results showed a trend for better performance on activities of daily living in the participants of the eight week’s intervention group as well as a trend for better performance on physical independence function. The intervention group had lower (better) Time-get-up-and-go test mean scores than the control group (P<.05), as well as a higher Chair stand test mean score (P<.05). There was no significant difference on Standing balance test in right and left leg after the program. The results showed that the practice of specific squat exercises in groups and on regular base has numerous benefits for elderly people, therefore playing an important role to master activities of daily living and to keep physical independence. All the more considering that the squat program was unanimously well accepted and appreciated, and no injury has been registered.
