A 20-week group exercise program run by the Chuncheon Public Health Center in Gangwon Province has boosted average fitness levels among senior participants by 32%, the center said Monday.
Pre- and post-program fitness assessments found that adult participants aged 64 and under improved their physical fitness by an average of 6%, while those 65 and older recorded significantly larger gains.
Designed to help residents build healthy lifestyle habits, the Chuncheon 20-week group exercise program is structured around five disciplines: yoga, Pilates, tai chi, Zumba and line dancing.
Adult participants were assessed on muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance, explosive power and agility, while senior participants were evaluated on upper- and lower-body muscle function, cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility, balance and coordination.
The results indicate that regular group exercise has a positive effect on physical fitness and health management regardless of age.
"This fitness assessment confirmed that consistent exercise helps improve the physical condition of our residents," a Chuncheon Public Health Center official said. "We will continue to operate a variety of health promotion programs so that residents can practice healthy lifestyle habits in their daily lives."
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