We subjected elderly who suffer from sleep disorder which cause a short life expectancy and lowering of efficiency. Sleep disorder caused by stress or disease to adults, it often occur in elderly currently. We tried to make clear constant exercise according to exercise intensity would have effect on sleep disorder in elderly using EEG and melatonin.
Thirty subjects were over 65 years old who lived a senior facility in K city. They were able to communicate and understand the purpose of the study. They also expressed their intension to participate actively in experiment. They should have alert consciousness and orientation about time, place, and people.
Sleep disorder was assessed via below 6 hr total sleep time(Kozier et al, 2004) and Pittsburge Sleep Quality Index, which was satisfied with both of criterion at the same time. Exercises composed of low intensity walking, moderate aerobic exercise, and high intensity resistance strength. We used QEEG 8-System (LAXTHA Inc. KOREA) to check wave type and Polysomnograpy(Compumedics, Australia) to test quality of sleep.
As a result of the study, there was a significant sleep index and change of melatonin after aerobic exercise. There was a significant SOL, S1, S2, and SWS in aerobic exercise, but there was a significant SWS in walking and resistance strength. There was a significant change of delta wave especially in frontal and temporal region between exercises.
In conclusion, they had different effects according to type of exercise, when elderly who have chemical, behavioral change of circadian rhythms did exercise consistently. Aerobic exercise had more effect on sleep disorder than other exercise. Therefore, we may supply proper exercise to elderly and high quality of life. However, additional research is encouraged to further confirm the effectiveness of exercise because the old may have many variables like disease, general characteristic, and environmental factor.