Research
Development of the Training Machine for the Purpose of the Prevention of Falls
The three main factors which cause falls are the weakening of the muscles of the lower limbs, the impairment of balance control and the degeneration of bones. Moreover, the reason of this functional decline associated with aging, is the withering of the fast twitch muscles of the lower limbs. One way we can assist the elderly to prevent falls and bone fractures is to help them strengthen these fast twitch muscles by regular exercise and training of the muscles of the lower limbs.
The group of muscles which are associated with balance are called adductor muscles and psoas major muscles. Adductor muscles support side balance, while psoas major muscles keep good posture and are used to lift up the leg. Both muscles are very important in our daily lives. In this study, we have developed a training machine for the elderly that can be used to train these muscles safety and efficiently by using air pressure as load.
When the bellows type machine (Fig.2) is placed between the thighs of the operator and compressed by the indivisual, it is possible to exercise all the muscles pertaining the hip joint function. Moreover, by adjusting the amount of air coming out through the air valve, we can change the load to the muscles. In addition, using the pressure sensor, we also can measure muscular strength. Young and elderly people cooperated in adductive training by using our training machine. As a result, we could see increase of the muscle strength both in young and elderly people. Therefore, there is the possibility that this training machine will be effective for the prevention of falls later on in life.