This study investigated 134 elderly participants who were over 65 years of
age in a yearlong exercise prescription program customized for the elderly by
a Community Social service Investment Program in seven areas of “A” City.
To measure service effectiveness, this study compared body composition and
physical health before and after service provision. This study further examined
the decline in the rate of cases testing positive in metabolic syndrome
screening according to the diagnostic criteria for each measurement item.
Body composition included ten measurements: body weight, body mass index,
body fat percentage, muscle mass, bone mass, basal metabolic rate,
abdominal fat percentage, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and glucose
levels. Physical health included four measurements: upper extremity muscle
strength, balance, flexibility, and whole body endurance. The major results of
this study are as follows. First, body composition shows a positive change,
including decreased weight, body mass index, abdominal fat percentage,
systolic blood pressure, and glucose and increased muscle mass, bone mass,
and basal metabolic rate, as compared to their levels before service
provision. Furthermore, the comparative results of the participants, from
among all the service users, who tested positive in the metabolic syndrome
screening show a reduction in the number of such participants, the reduction
being as much as 85.7%. Second, the results show a positive change in
physical health: increased upper extremity muscle strength, balance, flexibility,
and whole body endurance, as compared to levels before service provision.
The decline in the number of participants testing positive in the metabolic
syndrome screening was between 10.6% and 50.0%. The results of this study
suggest that subscription to the exercise prescription program tailored for the elderly should be expanded, tailored services should be extended and should
include more variety, and collaboration with other relevant organizations should
be improved.