【維吉尼亞大學研究】經過設計的瑜珈體位法可增加長輩髖關節伸展度與步伐長度

美國維吉尼亞大學復健醫學研究：專為長輩設計的瑜珈體位法，顯著改善髖關節伸展度與步行步幅

本研究由美國維吉尼亞大學物理醫學與復健學系（Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Virginia）發表於國際權威復健醫學期刊《Arch Phys Med Rehabil》。研究探討針對高齡者量身設計的哈達瑜珈（艾揚格瑜珈）體位計畫，如何有效改善長輩的髖關節靈活度、骨盆穩定度與步伐長度，進而預防跌倒與肌肉流失。

一、研究目的（Objective）

探討一套專為高齡長輩量身設計的瑜珈體位練習計畫，是否能改善因年齡增長而退化的「髖關節伸展角度（Hip Extension）」、「行走步伐長度（Stride Length）」以及相關步態功能指標——這些指標的退化正是高齡族群跌倒、失能與肌力流失的重要風險因子。

二、研究設計與參與對象（Design & Participants）

招募 23 位從未接觸過瑜珈的健康高齡長輩（年齡介於 62 至 83 歲，最終 19 位完整完成計畫），進行為期 8 週的艾揚格哈達瑜珈（Iyengar Hatha Yoga）介入訓練。課程專為提升下肢肌力、關節穩定度與柔軟度所設計，參與者每週參加 2 次 90 分鐘的團體瑜珈課，並於平日進行每次至少 20 分鐘的居家引導練習。研究團隊透過三維定量步態實驗室（3D Quantitative Gait Evaluation）進行訓練前後的生物力學精密量測。

三、主要研究發現與結論（Results & Conclusions）

四、英文期刊原文摘要（Original PubMed Abstract）

DiBenedetto M, Innes KE, Taylor AG, Rodeheaver PF, Boxer JA, Wright HJ, Kerrigan DC. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2005 Sep;86(9):1830-7. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, 22908, USA.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if a tailored yoga program could improve age-related changes in hip extension, stride length, and associated indices of gait function in healthy elders, changes that have been linked to increased risk for falls, dependency, and mortality in geriatric populations.

DESIGN & INTERVENTION: An 8-week Iyengar Hatha yoga program specifically tailored to elderly persons (age range, 62-83 y) and designed to improve lower-body strength and flexibility. Participants attended two 90-minute yoga classes per week, and were asked to complete at least 20 minutes of directed home practice on alternate days.

RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS: Peak hip extension and stride length significantly increased (F1,18=15.44, P<.001; F1,18=5.57, P=.03, respectively). Findings of this exploratory study suggest that yoga practice may improve hip extension, increase stride length, and decrease anterior pelvic tilt in healthy elders.