Abstract
Purpose: The study aimed to investigate the effects of circuit exercise on lower extremity functional fitness and gait stability in the elderly. Methods: The subjects of the study were 36 elderly, and 18 of them were in the experimental group (71.56 ± 4.94 years), and the other 18 subjects were in the control group (74.11 ± 5.37 years). The experimental group received circuit exercise 50 minutes each time, 3 times a week for 12 weeks, while the control group led a normal life. Lower extremity functional physical fitness (including 30-s chair-stand test, 2.44m up-and-go) and gait stability (including walking speed, cadence, step length, gait cycle duration) measurement was conducted before and after intervention. Results: The results showed that, 30-s chair-stand test, 2.44m upand go, walking speed, cadence and gait cycle duration in the experimental group after the 12 weeks circuit exercise, were significantly improved than those in the control group. Conclusion: These results indicated that the 12 weeks circuit exercise could improve the lower extremity functional physical fitness and gait stability (walking speed, cadence, and gait cycle duration) in the elderly, and it might reduce the risk of falls, as well as improve quality of life and ability to live independently in the elderly.