Effect of 5-week training session on balance in elderly with medium risk of fall: a comparative study

Abstract

Background: Ageing is a process through which slow, spontaneous, and progressive changes occur in the body structure over time. Healthy ageing is also characterized by reduction in muscle mass, maximal strength, rate of force development and changes in the architectural and mechanical properties of the muscle-tendon unit, thus affecting balance in the elderly. Here, we sought to compare the effectiveness of Frenkel’s and Cawthorne-Cooksey exercises on the balance in elderly within age group 60-70 years. Methods: A comparative study was conducted on 32 geriatric people of age group 60-70 years with medium risk of fall. The risk of fall was considered using Berg Balance Scale (BBS: 21-40 score). The sample size (n=32) was divided into 16 subjects each in Group A and Group B respectively. Informed consent was taken and the procedure was explained to all the participants. Results: The effectiveness of both the interventions on BBS was compared before and after 5 weeks of training. After 5 weeks of balance training sessions of both the groups, improvement in Berg Balance Scale (BBS) scores of the elderly group was seen. Conclusions: The current study, conducted on Frenkel’s exercises and Cawthorne- Cooksey exercises (Group A and Group B, respectively) used for the elderly with medium risk of fall of the age group 60-70 years for 5 weeks using Berg Balance Scale (BBS) shows that both the groups are equally effective in improving the balance.