Effects Of Hopping Exercise Training On Postural Stability And Leg Power In Older People

Abstract

PURPOSE: Reductions in muscle power and strength seem to be a cause of poor postural stability in older adults. This study was performed to investigate the effects of hopping exercise (HE) training on static postural stability and leg power in healthy older adults. METHODS: Twenty-six men and women (mean age ± standard deviation, 71.3 ± 5.0 years) were randomly assigned to either an HE group (n = 13) or balance exercise group (BE, n = 13). Both groups trained for 12 weeks. The HE group performed two sets of two-legged hopping at a frequency of 90 bpm until they reached a rate of 15 (hard) on the Borg scale of perceived exertion twice a week. The BE group performed on a foam stability pad or a narrow balance beam. They participated in a 30-min supervised group exercise session held once every 2 weeks at a local center. Outcome measures included the center of foot pressure (CoP) sway parameters (linear length of sway path, area of sway path, and linear length of sway path in a particular unit of time) and leg muscle power (cycling power and vertical jump). RESULTS: Repeated-measures analysis of variance showed only a significant main effect of time. After the training session, the HE group demonstrated a significantly decreased path length (45.0 ± 17.4 vs. 37.6 ± 12.5 cm, P < 0.05), sway area (2.71 ± 1.40 vs. 2.09 ± 1.25 cm2, P < 0.05), and sway velocity (2.25 ± 0.87 vs. 1.88 ± 0.63 cm/s, P < 0.05) and an increased cycling power (4.44 ± 0.97 vs. 4.68 ± 0.93 W/kg, P < 0.05), but no change in vertical jump (25.1 ± 6.3 vs. 23.5 ± 6.3 cm). The BE group demonstrated a significant change in cycling power (4.57 ± 0.61 vs. 4.80 ± 0.50 W/kg, P < 0.05), but no differences in the CoP sway parameters (path length: 43.9 ± 11.3 vs. 42.5 ± 9.8 cm, sway area: 2.83 ± 1.13 vs. 2.58 ± 0.99 cm2, sway velocity: 2.20 ± 0.57 vs. 2.12 ± 0.49 cm/s) or vertical jump (24.2 ± 6.3 vs. 23.9 ± 4.0 cm). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that a dynamic two-legged HE program is more effective than static BE in improving postural stability and leg muscle power in healthy older adults. HE may be recommended as a technique to reduce the risk of falling; however, future studies should examine the safety of this method for older people. Supported by JSPS KAKENHI Number 26350767.