Abstract
ObjectiveThe objective of this randomized controlled trial was to examine dynamic balance changes (reach distance) in middle-aged adults using the Y Balance Test (YBT) following 8 weeks of home-based exercise program adapted from the Otago Exercise Program (OEP).MethodsFifty-two healthy middle-aged adults with mean age of 54.4±5.4 years and body mass index of 27.7±5.7 kg/m2 were randomly assigned into either the exercise group (a modification of the Otago Exercise Program, that consisted of home-based balance and strength exercises) or the non-exercise group (continuation of usual lifestyle) by having the participants select a paper from a sealed envelope. The YBT was used to measure participants’ dynamic balance in the right and left anterior (RA, LA), posteromedial (RPM, LPM), and posterolateral (RPL, LPL) directions.ResultsThe outcome in this trial was reach distance (cm). There was a significant group by time interaction in terms of reach distance for all directions (p<0.05, η2 ranged from 0.06 to 0.20). In the exercise group, results of the repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant improvements in the reach distance in all the directions (p<0.001). In contrast, the non-exercise group had significant difference only in the left posterolateral direction (p = 0.009). Participants in the exercise group achieved significantly greater reach distance (cm) (95% confidence interval (CI)) for RA[(2.8, 0.4 to 5.2), p = 0.023]; LA[(3.2, 0.9 to 5.6), p = 0.008]; RPM[(4.0, 1.0 to 7.9), p = 0.046]; LPM[(5.8,1.3 to 10.3), p = 0.013]; RPL[(7.6, 2.6 to 12.6), p = 0.003]; and LPL[(4.2, 0.3 to 8.2), p = 0.035].ConclusionThe modified version of OEP appears to be effective in improving parameters of dynamic balance in the middle-aged adult population. The improvements in YBT reach distance in the exercise group are indicative of the significance of performing balance and strength exercises regularly for this population.
Highlights
Falls can present numerous negative health outcomes for middle-aged adults, and further, has been identified as the third leading cause of unintentional injury deaths in Americans aged 45–64 years [1]
There was a significant group by time interaction in terms of reach distance for all directions (p
The modified version of Otago Exercise Program (OEP) appears to be effective in improving parameters of dynamic balance in the middle-aged adult population
Summary
Falls can present numerous negative health outcomes for middle-aged adults, and further, has been identified as the third leading cause of unintentional injury deaths in Americans aged 45–64 years [1]. Additional consequences of such falls may include serious hospitalization, decline in quality of life, injury, or death [2]. A previous investigation found that middle aged and older adults experienced one to two falls during the two year period, (21% in middle-aged adults and 35% in older adults), and most falls occurred in their homes [3]. The number of fall-induced deaths was 29,759 and 3,917 in adults over the age of 60 years and middle aged-adults, respectively [4]. Hospitalization costs in 2010 were over $25 billion and $7 billion, respectively, in both groups [5, 6]
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