Citation

de Oliveira MR, da Silva RA, Dascal JB, Teixeira DC. Arch. Gerontol. Geriatr. 2014; 59(3): 506-514.

Affiliation

Health Science Research Center, Laboratory of Functional Evaluation and Human Motor Performance (LAFUP), University of Northern Parana (UNOPAR), 675 Paris Ave., Londrina 86041-120, PR, Brazil; Physical Education Department, Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, Pr 445km 380, Campus Universitário, Londrina 86051-980, PR, Brazil. Electronic address: denict.9@gmail.com.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.archger.2014.08.009

PMID

25239512

Abstract

Different types of exercise are indicated for the elderly to prevent functional capacity limitations due to aging and reduce the risk of falls. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of three different exercises (mini-trampoline, MT; aquatic gymnastics, AG and general floor gymnastics, GG) on postural balance in elderly women. Seventy-four physically independent elderly women, mean age 69±4 years, were randomly assigned to three intervention groups: (1) MT (n=23), (2) AG (n=28), and (3) GG (n=23). Each group performed physical training, including cardiorespiratory, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility and sensory-motor exercises for 12 weeks. To determine the effects on each intervention group, five postural balance tasks were performed on a force platform (BIOMEC 400): the two-legged stand with eyes open (TLEO) and two-legged stand with eyes closed (TLEC); the semi-tandem stand with eyes open (STEO) and semi-tandem stand with eyes closed (STEC) and the one-legged stand. Three trials were performed for each task (with 30s of rest between them) and the mean was used to compute balance parameters such as center of pressure (COP) sway movements. All modalities investigated such as the MT, AG and GG were significantly (P<0.05) efficient in improving the postural balance of elderly women after 12 weeks of training. These results provide further evidence concerning exercise and balance for promoting health in elderly women.

Language: en