Effect of Foot Exercise on Lower Limb Strength and Balance Among Elderly: Basis for a Health Education Program

BASIS FOR A HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAM

Abstract

The primary aim of this study was to determine the effects of foot exercise (senam kaki
diabetes) on lower limb strength and balance among the elderly. A quasi-experimental
interrupted time-series design with control group was utilized. Participants were chosen
through purposive sampling technique. Consequently, 60 participants met the criteria set for
the study. Simple random sampling was used to divide the participants into experimental and
control groups with 30 participants in each group. The result shows that foot exercise was
effective in improving lower limb strength and balance of the elderly. Lower limb strength
and balance of the participants in the experimental group gradually improved in every week of
intervention compared to those in the control group. Further, the result shows that age, sex,
and body weight did not affect the lower limb strength and balance of the elderly who
underwent foot exercise.