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LOWER BODY STRENGTH TRAINING EQUIPMENT DESIGN STUDY FOR OLDER ADULTS TO COMBAT MUSCLE WEAKNESS

Tongrod, Pantawat
http://orcid.org/0009-0004-7455-3625
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin171291661014653

Abstract Details

2024, MDES, University of Cincinnati, Design, Architecture, Art and Planning: Design.
The older adult age group is a significant and growing population. After 60, older adults experience up to 3% decrease in muscle mass a year. This reduces their mobility and activity to exercise and often leads to loss of independence. Additionally, there are not many in-home exercise solutions for older adults to combat muscle weakness in the current market. Therefore, it is essential to explore these challenges and find an in-home exercise solution for older adults to combat muscle weakness, especially for those who are losing their independence. Literature reviews, market research, a survey of older adults, and interviews with geriatric physicians and personal trainers are conducted to establish an informed approach to designing lower body exercise equipment to combat muscle weakness and improve mobility. As older adults are an extensive age range, an exploration into mobility evaluation tools is conducted. A mobility level map is developed from a combination of Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and Walking Speed Test to further pinpoint the target group's motor skills and used as design criteria. Research results suggested that squats are one of the best lower body exercises that older adults can do to improve lower body strength and balance. Additionally, it is found that health, growth, and social connection are the primary motivations in the life of older adults. These indicate a need for a design solution composed of an in-house equipment for exercise and an app for motivating users. These were developed through three design phases. After each phase, a design review surveys with older adults and design review interviews with experts are conducted to collect feedback and suggestions for the following development. At the end of the development process, it is found that the function and design of the machine are in the right direction, but further testing and development are needed. Additionally, market positioning research should be conducted to designate the product's price point. As a result, a 3-year development timeline for the machine is developed as a guideline for future development and research. In conclusion, it has been found that knowledge from experts is crucial to facilitating the informed development of specialized equipment, especially for design review. Secondly, mobility evaluation tools can pinpoint target groups with a wide range of mobility. It is found to be useful for both identifying the motor skills of the target group and as a design review tool for concept sketches. Lastly, the ergonomic map created from anthropometric data is crucial in the early development of exercise equipment. However, further ergonomic testing with the physical prototype is still required for further machine development.
Isil Oygur, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Steven Doehler, M.A. (Committee Chair)
95 p.
Design
Older adults; Strength Training Exercise; Accessibility; Exercise Equipment; Mobility

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Tongrod, P. (2024). LOWER BODY STRENGTH TRAINING EQUIPMENT DESIGN STUDY FOR OLDER ADULTS TO COMBAT MUSCLE WEAKNESS [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin171291661014653

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Tongrod, Pantawat. LOWER BODY STRENGTH TRAINING EQUIPMENT DESIGN STUDY FOR OLDER ADULTS TO COMBAT MUSCLE WEAKNESS. 2024. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin171291661014653.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Tongrod, Pantawat. "LOWER BODY STRENGTH TRAINING EQUIPMENT DESIGN STUDY FOR OLDER ADULTS TO COMBAT MUSCLE WEAKNESS." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2024. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin171291661014653

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin171291661014653
59
© 2024, some rights reserved.Creative Commons License LOWER BODY STRENGTH TRAINING EQUIPMENT DESIGN STUDY FOR OLDER ADULTS TO COMBAT MUSCLE WEAKNESS by Pantawat Tongrod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at etd.ohiolink.edu.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.