Experimental Study on Effectiveness of Square Stepping Exercise for Fall Risk Mitigation Among Senior Citizens

Abstract

Background General fitness establishes the quality of life, but it often decreases with age. Therefore, it becomes vital to find out a method of evaluation of individual fitness level and to design a targeted exercise programme,ie SSE.. Fallsin the elderly are common and associated with major morbidity and mortality. Fall in the elderly is considered as a geriatric syndrome ,decreased physical functioning and autonomy and is associated with other geriatric syndromes.  Objective To find the effectiveness of square stepping exercise and strength and balance to reduce the risk of falls among elderly people.  Method 30elderly subjects are selected from the population who fulfill inclusion and exclusion criteria . These subjects randomly divide in to two groups[15 each Group ]. ABC Scale and Tinneti performance oriented mobility assessment score checked as pre and post test. The SSE group participate sessions 5 days in a week ,each session comprise 15 minutes of warm-up activities such as stretching and free walking ,30 minutes of SSE and 15 minutes of cool-down activities. Each step pattern repeat 4–10 times. The group B performs 30 minute of strengthening and balance exercise instead of SSE.  Result and Discussion SSE is as equally effective as SB training in improving lower-extremity functional fitness. SSE may also be recommended for older adults, due to its low cost and effectiveness. The findings suggest that SSE is safe and acceptable, and it improves the functional fitness of the lower extremities, which is a fall risk factor, in older adults.  Conclusion low-cost and feasible alternative to practice physical activity with good impact on improvement of functional mobility and maintenance of mood states, preventing depressive symptoms In older people and reduce the risk of fall in elderly.