Effects of Short-Term Intensive Balance Training for the Performance Ability of Lower Extremities in the Elderly

노인의 단기집중 균형훈련이 하지수행능력에 미치는 영향

  • Jung, Soon-Mi (Division of Physical Therapy, Gimhae Senior Welfare Center) ;
  • An, Duk-Hyun (Dept. of Physical Therapy, College of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Inje University)
  • 정순미 (김해시노인종합복지관 물리치료실) ;
  • 안덕현 (인제대학교 의생명공학대학 물리치료학과)
  • Received : 2006.09.07
  • Accepted : 2007.01.05
  • Published : 2007.02.19

Abstract

The objective of this study was to discern the effects of a balance training program on the performance of lower extremities in order to improve strength (muscle power, flexibility, walking power), balance control and walking ability in the elderly. The subjects selected were aged 65 years and over, with no known relevant medical history that may disturb their balance, and have also been visiting the Gimhae Senior Welfare Center. The variable group consisted of 30 subjects, of whom were people who had been participating in balance training programs (One Leg Standing; OLS, Functional Reach; FR, Timed Get Up and Go; TUG) as an intervention for 8 weeks 3 times per a week. They were examined in order to identify their balance control before and after. The control group consisted of thirty subjects who preferred to exercise without any intervention relating to balance training program. The subjects were measured before and after balance training in order to determine the effectiveness of exercise and the effectiveness of exercise combined with the aid of a Balance Performance Monitor. 1. Mean time on OLS test with left and right sided extremities in the experimental group was 35.44 sec, 42.10 sec longer than control group respectively. In FR tests applied to the left and right side, mean reaching distance was increased up to 5.56 cm, 6.73 cm in experimental group respectively. Mean time on TUG test from a chair in experimental group was decreased to 2.33 sec. 2. Mean value of decline in the level balance control, both left and right side, decreased to 2.24% as examined by the Balance Performance Monitor. Mean scores for sway level after balance training decrease to .98% and for balance control both anterior and posterior directions decreased to mean 1.07% and 1.44%, respectively.

Keywords