Development of a care prevention exercise program for adherence to antigravity muscle training habits

[Purpose] To examine the effect of a care-prevention strength training program using a behavioral scientific method on frequency of performance and adherence to an anti-gravity muscle training program. [Subjects and Methods] Eleven community-dwelling elderly persons participated in this study. The frequency of training per week was examined and compared before, immediately after, and 6-months after the intervention. [Results] At 6 months after intervention, 9 participants had continued to perform the training. The training frequency was 0 times/week before the intervention, but it was 6 times/week after the intervention, and 3 times/week at 6 months after the intervention. In addition, frequency of training immediately and 6-months after intervention was significantly higher than that before the intervention. [Conclusion] The results suggest that using a behavioral scientific method may be effective for adherence to lower limb anti-gravity muscle training for the elderly.