Article

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of independently conducted static
balance exercises within a fall-safe environment in elderly participants engaging
in independent training. DESIGN: Randomized two-group parallel controlled study.
SETTING: Retirement center, community dwelling. SUBJECTS: Subjects, 25 male and
female volunteers (aged 82.6 +/- 6.1 years; weight 69.9 +/- 97 kg; height 165 +/-
6.9 cm; body mass index (BMI) 25.6 +/- 2.6) residing in independent living
facilities were randomly assigned to an experimental group or a control group.
INTERVENTION: The experimental group engaged in standing, static balancing, and
mild leg exercise 12 minutes per session, three times per week for 12 weeks.
Exercises were done independent of spotters within a rigid frame consisting of
tethers connected to the subject so that he or she could not fall. The control
group were given literature on prevention of falls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Functional ability and balance was assessed using the following tests: 30-second
chair stand test, 8-foot up and go test, Berg Balance Scale, and a step-up test.
RESULTS: Comparison by repeated-measures ANOVA of the performance before and
after the 12-week intervention yielded significant (P < 0.01) improvement for the
experimental group over the control group in the 30-second chair test
repetitions, in the 8-foot up and go test, in the balance assessment and in the
leg function assessments. CONCLUSION: Standing,
static balance exercises
conducted independently without safety supervision led to improvements in
balance, functional ability, and leg functioning in frail elderly people.

Langue : ANGLAIS