Efficacy of Progressive Resistance Tube Training in Community Dwelling Older Adults: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Falls are known to be one of the most prevalent public health problems in older adults. Currently, the aging population is growing fast. It is essential to use low cost, time-efficient exercise intervention programs for increasing strength, functional mobility, and balance in older adults, and subsequently decrease the risk of falls. This is a pilot study to assess the effects of a 12-week progressive resistance tube training session on the lower limb muscle strength, dynamic balance, and functional mobility in elderly people. Seventeen community dwelling older adults with a mean age of 69.2 ± 4.62 years were recruited among residents of a senior day care center in Malaysia to participate in this pilot study. Eight out of 17 participants completed their lower extremity resistance tube training sessions three times per week for 12 weeks. Lower limb muscle strength and functional mobility were tested by five times sit to stand test (FRSTST), and timed up and go test (TUG), respectively. Functional reach test (FRT) and four square step test (FSST) were applied to measure dynamic balance. The results revealed significant increases in lower limb strength (30.3%), dynamic balance (29.6% in FRT and 15.3% in FSST), and functional mobility (27.1%) (all significant at p < 0.05). It was concluded that the use of a simple and inexpensive strength training program may improve leg muscle strength and consequently dynamic balance and mobility in elderly people and make them independent in their daily activities.