Article

To prevent falls in the elderly, especially those with low bone
density, is it necessary to maintain muscle coordination and balance. The aim of
this study was to examine the effect of classical balance training (BAL) and
whole-body vibration training (VIB) on postural control in post-menopausal women
with low bone density. METHODS: Sixty-eight subjects began the study and 57
completed the nine-month intervention program. All subjects performed resistive
exercise and were randomized to either the BAL- (N=31) or VIB-group (N=26). The
BAL-group performed progressive balance and coordination training and the
VIB-group underwent, in total, four minutes of vibration (depending on exercise;
24-26Hz and 4-8mm range) on the Galileo Fitness. Every month, the performance of
a single leg stance task on a standard unstable surface (Posturomed) was tested.
At baseline and end of the study only, single leg stance, Romberg-stance,
semi-tandem-stance and tandem-stance were tested on a ground reaction force
platform (Leonardo). RESULTS: The velocity of movement on the Posturomed improved
by 28.3 (36.1%) (p<0.001) in the VIB-group and 18.5 (31.5%) (p<0.001) in the
BAL-group by the end of the nine-month intervention period, but no differences
were seen between the two groups (p=0.45). Balance tests performed on the
Leonardo device did not show any significantly different responses between the
two groups after nine months (p>/=0.09). CONCLUSIONS: Strength training combined
with either proprioceptive training or whole-body vibration was associated with
improvements in some, but not all, measures of postural control in
post-menopausal women with low bone density. The current study could not provide
evidence for a significantly different impact of whole-body vibration or balance
training on postural control.
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Langue : ANGLAIS