Effects of Recreational Exercises on the Strength, Flexibility, and Balance of Old-old Elderly Individuals

[Purpose] The purposes of this study were to investigate the effects of recreational exercises on the muscle strength, flexibility, and balance of old-old elderly individuals over the age of 75 years. [Subjects and Methods] Forty-three old-old elderly subjects (aged 78.7 ± 2.9 years) participated in 8 weeks of recreational exercises. The exercises were performed twice a week for 8 weeks. Muscle strength, flexibility, and balance were evaluated by the Senior Fitness Test before and at the end of the intervention. [Results] Significant improvements in muscle strength, flexibility, and balance were observed at the end of the intervention. [Conclusion] This study demonstrated that an intervention using recreational exercises effectively improves the muscle strength, flexibility, and balance of old-old elderly individuals.