The effect of elderly exercise on Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) in the elderly at the Abdie Huffadz Bakti Foundation, Makassar

Background: Aging leads to a decline in physiological functions, including the respiratory system, which is characterized by reduced elasticity of lung tissue, respiratory muscle strength, and vital capacity. This decline results in a decreased Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR), particularly in older adults with low physical activity. The Otago Exercise Programme (OEP) is a form of elderly exercise proven effective in enhancing muscle strength, balance, and lung ventilation capacity. Objective: To determine the effect of OEP-based elderly exercise on PEFR among older adults at the Amal Bakti Abdie Huffadz Foundation Makassar. Methods: This study utilized a one-group pretest–posttest design without a control group. The sample consisted of 14 older adults selected using a purposive sampling technique. PEFR was measured using a peak flow meter before and after a single session of exercise intervention. Data were analyzed using the Paired Sample T-Test after meeting the normality assumption via the Shapiro–Wilk test (pre-test p = 0.557; post-test p = 0.431). Results and Discussion: There was an increase in the mean PEFR value from 269.29 L/min (pre-test) to 279.29 L/min (post-test). However, the Paired Sample T-Test yielded a significance value of p = 0.291 (p > 0.05), indicating that the change in PEFR values was not statistically significant. Nevertheless, clinically, this increase reflects a trend toward improved respiratory function in the majority of respondents following the intervention. Conclusion: OEP-based elderly exercise shows potential in positively influencing PEFR in older adults, although the improvement was not statistically significant. This exercise program remains recommended as an effort to maintain respiratory muscle strength, lung health, and overall quality of life in the elderly., although not statistically significant. This exercise remains recommended as a way to maintain respiratory muscle strength and lung health, as well as to improve quality of life in older adults.