The effects of an 8-weeks training on postural control for the elderly

Abstract

This paper presented the 8-weeks training effects of training system based on an unstable platform and a visual interactive system for improving the ability of postural control. To confirm the effects of the training, fifteen elderly volunteers took part in a series of balance training using this system. Fifteen elderly volunteers as the control group compared with the training group. To evaluate the effects of the training, the relevant parameters such as the time of timed up and go (TUG) test, the transfer limits of the different directions, the sway path of center of pressure (COP), and the root mean square (RMS) of COP in anteroposterior (AP) direction and mediolateral (ML) direction, concentric isokinetic strength of ankle and knee joints were measured from pre-training to post-training. The results showed that the training system could successfully assess the gradual improvement of the postural control capability of the volunteers in the system and showed a possibility of improving balance capability of the volunteers. Moreover, the significant improvement in the postural capability of the elderly suggested that the elderly could benefit more from the training using the system for the improvement of the ability of postural control.