소매틱움직임 프로그램이 노인의 건강요소에 미치는 영향

Abstract

This article reports on changes in health-related parameters, including muscular strength, cardiac-pulmonary endurance, flexibility, equilibrant and coordination, elderly citizens who completed a seven month movement educational program based on somatic disciplines for body-mind integration. The study included 5 participants (1 male, 4 females; age range 70-86) and was conducted over seven months (November 2013 to June 2014) at a senior welfare center in Seoul, Korea. Pre-program data collection consisted of a questionnaire on somatotype, body composition analysis, and examination of physical strength. The somatic movement program included meditation, Bartenieff Fundamentals, Pilates, the Feldenkrais Method, etc., and each participant attended class for two hours twice a week. The program comprised to sections of 20 and 14 classes respectively. After each section, body composition and physical strength were analyzed (1st exam: March 27, 2014 ; 2nd exam: June 3, 2014). The results of this study were as follows: First, the participants lost weight and body fat noticeably through somatic disciplines. Second, it seems that there is a significant interrelationship between somatotype and health elements. Indeed, the participants improved on some specific aspects of health elements more than others which depends on the participants’ somatotype. For example, leg and arm muscle functions were improved more for participants with mesomorph than those with ectomorph. The observed outcomes were attributed to the participants’ attitude of immersing in classes, mindfulness, intimate relations between teacher/peers, and awareness of their own soma in daily lives.