STUDY 1. EFFECTS OF 4-WEEKS EXERCISE PROGRAM USING AN WERABLE HIP ROBOT ON THE PHYSICAL FUNCTION OF OLDER ADULTS
Recently, research in the healthcare field has been actively conducted, and Samsung Electronics has developed the EX1, a hip joint robot for exercise. This study aimed to verify the effect of a 4-week combined exercise program applying the EX1 on older adults. This study design was an evaluator-blinded, one-group pre- and post-test. A total of 21 older adults performed an exercise program wearing the EX1 for 50 min per session, 3 days a week during the 4-week exercise period. For comparison before and after participating in the exercise program, the spatio-temporal parameters, kinematic parameters, functional evaluation, muscle power, and waist-hip ratio results were compared and analyzed. All data were analyzed before and after exercise using paired t-test, and the statistical significance level was set at 0.05. The stride length and propulsion showed statistically significant improvements after exercise with the EX1 (p < 0.01). Regarding changes of the gait posture, there was a statistically significant improvement in pelvic movement range (p < 0.05). In the functional evaluation, the time required was statistically significantly reduced in the timed up and go test (TUG) (p < 0.05). In addition, the waist-hip ratio was significantly reduced (p < 0.05). These results demonstrate that a 4-week exercise program with the EX1 was effective in improving the functional gait of the older adults, increasing the pelvic movement and muscle strength in the lower extremities, followed by increased walking speed and stability of gait due to increased core muscle power.
STUDY 2. EFFECTS OF 6-WEEKS WALKING EXERCISE PROGRAM USING AN WEARBLE HIP ROBOT ON THE PHYSICAL FUNCTION OF OLDER ADULTS
Interval walking exercise (IWE) consists of repeated walking for 3 min with high intensity, followed by 3 min of walking with low intensity. A wearable robot is an exoskeleton robot system that assists human movement. The purpose of this study is to verify the effects of performing interval walking using the EX1 (Samsung Electronics, Suwon, Republic of Korea) of older adults. The study design was a randomized controlled trial. The Robot assist group (RG; n=10) performed the IWE program with the EX1, and the Non robot assist group (NRG; n=12) performed the IWE program without the EX1, three times a week for six weeks. Both groups were evaluated for spatio-temporal parameters and kinematic parameters by G-Walk and GAITRite, function, muscle power by electromyography (EMG) and rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) by Inbody at before, after three weeks and after six weeks of exercise. There was a significant difference between the two groups in the pelvic tilt range (p < 0.05) after six weeks of exercise. The pelvic rotation range showed a significant difference after six weeks of exercise in the RG (p < 0.01). Also, rectus abdominis contraction ratio significantly increased after six weeks of exercise in the RG (p < 0.05). In addition, the WHR was significantly lower after six weeks of exercise in the RG than in the NRG (p < 0.05). Based on the results, the EX1 maximizes the normal walking effect, promotes correct posture and physical activity to prevent falls, and improves quality of life.