F-67 Clinical Case Slide - Soccer Issues

Abstract

Decline in ankle proprioception could be related to the high incidence of falls in elderly because it is very important to control of balance. However, the effects of different kinds of exercise on ankle proprioception are unclear. PURPOSE: To determine ankle joint position sense (JPS) and balance of elderly engaged in difference types of exercise. METHODS: Subjects in this study were 160 Thai elderly aged 60-70 years old. They were classified into 4 groups, i.e. walking, tai chi, jogging, and non-exercise group. All of them were tested ankle JPS by passive reproduction test during weight bearing. The foot was passively moved through a target position by an apparatus at a constant speed, 0.25 degrees per second. After that, the subjects indicated the joint position when they perceived that the target position had been reached. Mean values of two trials in each movement (i.e. inversion, eversion, plantarflexion, and dorsiflexion) were analyzed. In addition, leg strength was tested with Senior’s Chair: stand test. The balance were tested with functional reach test, timed up and go test (TUG), single leg stance test, and the force platform test which presence of anterior-posterior and lateral center of pressure (CoP) excursion, and direction of maximum instability with eyes open and eyes closed either on a hard or soft surface. RESULTS: This study found that the non-exercise group had fall rate 30%, walking group 25%, jogging group 24.24%, and tai chi group 22.50%. Regarding JPS test, exercise groups had significantly better ankle JPS for eversion, plantarflexion, and dorsiflexion than non-exercise group (p<0.05). Otherwise, the leg strength of jogging group was greater than other groups. Exercise groups had significantly better reaching distance, time of TUG test, and single leg stance time than non-exercise group (p<0.05). Finally, the lateral CoP excursion with eyes closed on hard and soft surface of tai chi group were significantly better than other groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Active elderly, tai chi practitioners, has best ankle proprioception and balance control, whereas jogging group has best leg strength. Their improvements in ankle proprioception and lower limb strength might reduce fall rate in elderly. Supported by Ratchadapiseksompotch Fund., Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University