<Original>Improved understanding of young and middle-aged adults about the aged people by a simulation program using braces for motion restriction

Fifty-four general young and middle-aged adults (mean age, 39.5 years) performed simulation of 13 actions in the aged by restricting of motor ability with cervical and short-leg braces. This program was evaluated by their understanding of aged people before the experience, soon after and 6 month later respectively. Soon after the experience, 79.6% of the subjects were understood that "Aged people can not walk fast on the flat" that is a basic movement in daily life. And the number of subjects who were aware that "Aged people need support." "Aged people are kind", and "I think that I can understand the feelings of aged people." significantly increased. Estimation of the degree of difficulty in "Movement as a whole" and "Going downstairs" significantly improved. In addition, the number of subjects who had the will to "listen to aged people's talk and give advice", "speak to aged people", and "help aged people" significantly increased. These results suggest that simulation experience programs in general young and middle-aged adults using braces that restrict motor ability could be useful for improving their understanding of the difficulty in actions of the aged and arousing the will to understand the feelings of the aged and support them