Effects Of Unstable Surface Training On Various Measures Of Balance And Function In Older Adults

Abstract

PURPOSE: To determine the effects of a 5-week unstable surface training program on various measures of balance and function in older adults. METHODS: 19 men and women (60–68 y; 83.7 kg) were randomly assigned to a control or supervised training group. The training group (n=9) performed balance exercises on VersaDisc® and CorDisc® devices three times per week for five weeks. Controls (n=10) were instructed to perform their normal routine during the 5-week study period. All subjects were tested on the Timed Up and Go (TUG) and Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) questionnaire. In addition, subjects performed static balance tests on a tri-axial force platform under conditions of two leg, right leg only, and left leg only, in both eyes open and eyes closed states. Data were collected using a A/D board. Length of the path of the center of pressure (LOP) was averaged for three 15-s trials in each of the six conditions, utilizing DataPac 2K2 (v3.17). All tests had a minimum intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.7 and coefficients of variation below 15%. RESULTS: Results are shown in table 1. The only significant group by time effect was for the ABC questionnaire (p<0.05) indicating that the training program increased self-perceived balance ability in this population.Table 1: Effects of training on the ABC Questionnaire and TUG. Results given as Mean (SD).CONCLUSIONS: Unstable surface training does not appear to affect measures of static balance and TUG in older adults. However, since the ABC was affected, further research into the effect of training with such devices in older populations is warranted. Sponsored by the Life Fitness Michael L. Pollock Memorial Grant, University of Memphis FRG and Power Systems, Inc.