Effects of Vibration Foam Roller Stimulation and Thoracic Stabilization Exercise for 6 Weeks on Upper Limb Strength and Respiratory Function in the Elderly

Abstract

Background/Objectives: To investigate the effects of vibration foam roller stimulation and thoracic stabilization exercises (TSE) on upper limb strength and respiratory function in the elderly.

Methods/Statistical analysis: Thirty-one elderly people over 60 years of age were allocated to VFRSE (vibration foam roll with stabilization exercise, n=16) and SE (stabilization exercise, n=15) and tested. Intervention of the VFRSE group involved 15 minutes of vibration foam roller exercises and 15 minutes of TSE three times a week, while that of the SE group involved 30 minutes of TSE three times a week. All subjects underwent baseline evaluations and re-evaluations before and after the 6-week intervention.

Findings: After the 6-week intervention, statistically significant increases in hand grip strength, FVC, and FEV1 were observed in the VFRSE group (P<0.05). In the SE group, only hand grip strength increased significantly (P<0.05). Statistically significant differences were demonstrated in FVC and FEV1 between the VFRSE and SE groups (P<0.05), but no significant in hand grip strength (P>0.05).

Improvements/Applications: Vibration foam roller stimulation with thoracic stabilization exercises influence upper limb strength and respiratory function. Thus, we suggest the application of these intervention on the elderly with decreased upper limb strength and respiratory function.