Development of Exercise Support Apparatus for Prevention of Locomotive Syndrome

Locomotive syndrome is the state in which a risk of a person needing care increases because of an impediment of the locomotive parts of the body. The main cause is functional decline of locomotive organs such as the bones, joints, and muscle. The syndrome is the main cause of the necessity of care for bedridden people. This disease is severer than the musculoskeletal ambulation disability symptom complex indicating the state entailing increased risk of a decline of balance ability and walking ability, homeboundness, and increased falling because of aging. Exercise and training are effective as preventive measures. The author developed an exercise-assisting device. Results show that the exercise-assisting device is effective for preventing Locomotive syndrome.