EFFECTS OF A GENERAL EXERCISE PROGRAM ON PASSIVE HIP, KNEE, AND ANKLERANGE OF MOTION OF OLDER WOMEN

This study evaluated the effects of a general exercise program on the passive range of motion of the lower limb of older women and compared the passive range of motion between the older women and a group of you ng women. Older subjects participated in an exercise program over a 2- year period with testing sessions every 3 months. The hip and knee fle xion and ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion were measured. Dif ferences were statistically significant (P < 0.05) for all three joint measurements among test sessions for the older women. Pairwise differ ences were significant between the preexercise measures and those at 2 4 months for the three joints and for the preexercise hip and knee fle xion measures and those at 9 months. This study provides evidence that exercise had a positive effect on the passive tissues reflected by th e joint range of motion improvements over the 2-year period.