Leveraging Knowledge Management Techniques for Developing Multimedia Exercise Guides for Elderly Fall Prevention

Abstract

In this research study, the primary objective was to develop a comprehensive exercise program specifically designed for elderly individuals. The focus was on evaluating various exercise postures and validating their impact on muscle groups. By integrating knowledge management systems with knowledge engineering methodologies, the aim was to optimize the design of exercise postures and promote optimal health outcomes for the elderly. Divided into three distinct experiments, the study employed a systematic approach to acquire, represent, and validate knowledge related to exercise postures for the elderly population. The use of knowledge management systems and engineering methodologies facilitated the design of effective exercise postures tailored to meet the unique needs and capabilities of elderly individuals. Experiment I focused on knowledge acquisition through structured interviews with physical therapists. The acquired knowledge was used to screen and prioritize exercise postures suitable for elderly individuals. Expert recommendations and analysis were employed to select a set of exercise postures. Using a matrix combination approach, 189 possible exercise postures were generated by combining aerobic and dance postures. Through a screening process, 52 postures were selected as suitable for elderly individuals. Experiment II utilized kinesthetic representation techniques to visually represent the 52 selected exercise postures for the elderly. Additionally, frame representation was employed to capture muscle specifications associated with each posture. The representation design was validated by physical exercise experts. In the first step of Experiment III, a total of 52 exercise postures were implemented and evaluated with elderly participants. The implementation and validation process aimed to identify the best and most appropriate postures for the elderly, considering factors such as satisfaction levels, difficulty levels, and safety considerations. Through this rigorous evaluation, the initial selection of 52 postures was narrowed down to a final set of 21 suitable postures. The validation results provided valuable insights into the effectiveness of the exercise postures and their impact on the elderly participants. It ensured that the chosen postures were not only effective in promoting optimal health outcomes but also minimized the risk of injury. The iterative assessment and refinement process contributed to the development of an evidence-based exercise program specifically tailored to the unique needs and capabilities of elderly individuals. For the second step of Experiment III, the effects of the selected exercise postures on different muscle groups were validated. Three physical exercise experts evaluated the impact on upper limb, trunk, and lower limb muscles. Specific muscle groups, such as brachioradialis, deltoid, quadriceps, and hamstring, were found to be strongly focused on during the exercises, while trunk muscles were rated as poor overall. The evaluation involved implementing and evaluating a total of 52 exercise postures with elderly participants. The selection of the final 21 postures was based on the evaluation results and provided insights into satisfaction levels, difficulty levels, and safety considerations for each exercise posture. The validation outcomes showed a high level of agreement among the experts, ranging from 79% to 91%. For conclusion, this research aimed to enhance exercise programs for the elderly by developing more effective methodologies for designing exercise postures. By considering the specific requirements of the elderly population and utilizing knowledge management systems, the study successfully created exercise postures that maximize health benefits and overall well-being. Through the implementation of knowledge engineering methodologies and the utilization of knowledge management systems, the research optimized the design of exercise postures for elderly individuals. The division of the study into three experiments enabled a comprehensive analysis of the acquired knowledge, leading to the development of exercise postures specifically tailored to the needs of the elderly population.