Development of a Physical Activity Knowledge Set Based on Lanna Cultural Arts in Pong Saen Thong Subdistrict, Mueang District, Lampang Province

Abstract

This research aimed to develop a physical activity knowledge set incorporating Lanna art and culture in Pong Saen Thong Subdistrict, Mueang District, Lampang Province, using a Research and Development (R&D) process. The research was conducted in three phases: Phase 1 involved studying the problems and needs related to physical activities for the elderly through focus group discussions with 14 key informants, including community leaders, Lanna art and culture experts, and those involved with the elderly. Phase 2 focused on developing the knowledge set by drafting it and then assessing its suitability and feasibility with seven experts. Phase 3 involved studying the effectiveness of the physical activity knowledge set by measuring the knowledge of the elderly in the experimental group before and after using the knowledge set. The experimental group consisted of 30 elderly volunteers from Pong Saen Thong Subdistrict. Statistical methods used included mean, standard deviation, and the Dependent Samples t-test.

          The research findings were as follows:

1. The problems and needs for physical activities among the elderly revealed that: 1.1) Common diseases among the elderly included diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, heart disease, and osteoarthritis, respectively, and 1.2) The knowledge set should focus on enhancing the strength and flexibility of the elderly's muscles.
2. The Lanna art and culture-based physical activity knowledge set consisted of three parts: 1) The art of drumming with three songs, 2) The art of fingernail dance with 16 movements, and 3) The art of Jeng dance with five sub-sets. The evaluation of suitability and feasibility was found to be at a high level.

                        3. The effectiveness of the Lanna art and culture-based physical activity knowledge set showed that the elderly who used the knowledge set had a significantly higher average knowledge score after using it at the 0.05 level of significance. The knowledge set should be further developed into innovative communication tools to be widely disseminated within the community.