Health Club Research Articles

Drinking Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene Promotion Interventions in Two Slum Communities in Central Uganda.

Poor water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) continue to contribute to the high prevalence of diarrhoeal diseases in low-income countries such as Uganda particularly in slums. We implemented a 3-year WASH project in two urban slums in Uganda with a focus on safe drinking water and improvement in sanitation. The project implemented community and school interventions in addition to capacity building initiatives. Community interventions included home improvement campaigns, clean-up exercises, water quality assessment, promotion of drinking safe water through household point-of-use chlorination, promotion of hand washing, and support towards solid waste management. In schools, the project supported health clubs and provided them with “talking compound” messages. The capacity building initiatives undertaken included training of youth and community health workers. Project evaluation revealed several improvements in WASH status of the slums including increase in piped water usage from 38% to 86%, reduction in use of unprotected water sources from 30% to 2%, reduction in indiscriminate disposal of solid waste from 18% to 2%, and increase in satisfaction with solid waste management services from 40% to 92%. Such proactive and sustainable community interventions have the potential to not only improve lives of slum inhabitants in developing countries but also create lasting impact.

Disordered Eating Attitudes and Exercise Behavior among Female Emirati College Students in the United Arab Emirates: A Cross- Sectional Study

Background: Growing evidence is showing high levels of physical inactivity and disordered eating attitudes among young females in the United Arab Emirates. This is clearly concerning, but little is known about the activity level of those with disordered eating attitudes and their dieting behavior. This study examines the female Emirati college students’ disordered eating attitudes and its relation to exercise behavior.Method: A cross- sectional study using a validated and reliable questionnaire was conducted on 242 Emirati female students attending a public university in Dubai. Eating Attitudes Test- 26 (EAT26) was used to measure eating attitudes and the short International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was included to measure physical activity level. A systematic random sampling from a list of classes in the fall 2014 semester was used for recruitment. The university’s Research Ethics Committee approved the study and consents were obtained from participants. SPSS v.21 was used for data analysis. Chi-square test was used to compare frequencies. Significance level was set at 0.05.Results: The participants’ mean age and standard deviation (Mean± SD) was 19 ±1.3 years. 31.4% of the participants showed disordered eating attitudes. The percentage of participants engaged in at least one concerning behavior in the past six months was 43.8%. A membership in a health club was significantly related to disordered eating attitudes (p <0.01). A high level of physical activity was correlated with laxative use, over the counter supplements, and exercising for more than 60 minutes to control weight (p<0.05). Conclusion: There is a great need for intervention programs and policies to contain the level of abnormal eating attitudes and promote healthy level of physical activity among college students.

Setting of Display and Improvement Possibilities for the Inner Organizational Culture Based On the Entrepreneurial Approach in the Fitness and Wellness Clubs: The Case of Kaunas City / Antreprenerišku požiūriu grįstos vidinės organizacijos kultūros pasireiškimo ir tobulinimo galimybių nustatymas kūno rengybos ir sveikatingumo klubuose: Kauno miesto atvejis

Increasing number of fitness and health clubs in Kaunas city and increasing competition requires entrepreneurial attitudes and innovation in order to be competitive in the market. For these reasons, it is worth looking deeper into the internal culture and its development opportunities of fitness and health clubs in the city of Kaunas. The aim of this research is to set the display and improvement possibilities for the inner organizational culture based on the entrepreneurial approach, trying to improve the environment for innovative appearance. The objective of the research is the inner organizational culture and its improvement possibilities of fitness and health clubs in the city of Kaunas. For this research, analysis of scientific literature and the quantitative research method was selected, as well as a questionnaire survey. Respondents were employees from 10 fitness and health clubs of Kaunas city and they were surveyed by using an online questionnaire, in total 82 surveyed respondents. The results of this research revealed that there is space for entrepreneurial approach improvement possibilities within the inner culture of fitness and health clubs in the city of Kaunas. A significant correlation has been found between factors that characterize entrepreneurship and introduction of innovation in the market. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used to assess the internal consistency of the questionnaire. After calculating, the value of the Cronbach alpha coefficient was 0.939, that corresponds to the value of a well-formed questionnaire. After analysing the results of this research, it can be concluded that an organization which is based on an entrepreneurial approach constantly monitors the business environment, looks for new opportunities and seeks to implement them. It also encourages employees to learn, develop their creativity, initiative, ability to lead and innovate. [...]

Don’t Let Fear Guide Your Path

Founder of BRICKK, a fitness lounge, Kathy Pavlik was determined to create a friendly, healthy, non-intimidating atmosphere where clients would feel welcome. Pavlik believes ‘fear’ causes many people to begin then quit working out. Inspired by her own experiences, Pavlik created a new concept in the health club business in Alma, Michigan. Now that BRICKK is a reality, the next steps need to be determined in the effort to make the fitness lounge a financial success. Pavlik is considering a number of marketing strategies in order to build up attendance in the classes. She’s also considering marketing ideas on how to increase business with her lunches/smoothie bar and possible lunch delivery within the county.

Design of the diploma program of physical education and sports specialization of the management of health clubs in the light of quality standards

Design of the diploma program of physical education and sports specialization of the management of health clubs in the light of quality standards

Compliance with Hygiene Rules and Frequency of Infectious Diseases Incidents at Sports/Fitness Centers: Comparative Study/Analysis between Recreational Basketball Players and People who Working out at Health Clubs

Compliance with Hygiene Rules and Frequency of Infectious Diseases Incidents at Sports/Fitness Centers: Comparative Study/Analysis between Recreational Basketball Players and People who Working out at Health Clubs

\u2018Leaving no one behind\u2019: reflections on the design of community-based HIV prevention for migrants in Johannesburg\u2019s inner-city hostels and informal settlements

BackgroundUnmanaged urban growth in southern and eastern Africa has led to a growth of informal housing in cities, which are home to poor, marginalised populations, and associated with the highest HIV prevalence in urban areas. This article describes and reflects on the authors’ experiences in designing and implementing an HIV intervention originally intended for migrant men living in single-sex hostels of inner-city Johannesburg. It shows how formative research findings were incorporated into project design, substantially shifting the scope of the original project.MethodsFormative research activities were undertaken to better understand the demand- and supply-side barriers to delivering HIV prevention activities within this community. These included community mapping, a baseline survey (n = 1458) and client-simulation exercise in local public sector clinics. The intervention was designed and implemented in the study setting over a period of 18 months. Implementation was assessed by way of a process evaluation of selected project components.ResultsThe project scope expanded to include women living in adjacent informal settlements. Concurrent sexual partnerships between these women and male hostel residents were common, and HIV prevalence was higher among women (56%) than men (24%). Overwhelmingly, hostel residents were internal migrants from another province, and most felt ‘alienated’ from the rest of the city. While men prioritised the need for jobs, women were more concerned about water, sanitation, housing and poverty alleviation. Most women (70%) regarded their community as unsafe (cf. 47% of men). In the final intervention, project objectives were modified and HIV prevention activities were embedded within a broader health and development focus. ‘Community health clubs’ were established to build residents’ capacity to promote health and longer term well-being, and to initiate and sustain change within their communities.ConclusionsTo improve efforts to address HIV in urban informal settings, intervention designers must acknowledge and engage with the priorities set by the marginalised communities that live here, which may well encompass more pressing issues associated with daily survival.

Analysis of Competitiveness of Health Club in Weifang Based on Porter's Diamond Model

Since the development of tertiary industry in the city is more and more important. Sports fitness and entertainment industry has gained the focus of attention, more and more health clubs in large cities are carried out. In order to know the health club’s present development situation and problems in Weifang, we use Porter`s diamond model theory of competitiveness in health club natural resources, demands to studies the structure and business strategy. The results show that health club competitive level is not high; small number of health clubs; a health instructor certified is not optimistic; health trainer has the upward trend in line with the industry. Suggestions: enhance propaganda; increasing support by the government; strength the industry norm; improve the personal system, introduction of high-level coaches.

Effect of community health clubs on child diarrhoea in western Rwanda: cluster-randomised controlled trial.

SummaryBackgroundCommunity health clubs are multi-session village-level gatherings led by trained facilitators and designed to promote healthy behaviours mainly related to water, sanitation, and hygiene. They have been implemented in several African and Asian countries but have never been evaluated rigorously. We aimed to evaluate the effect of two versions of the community health club model on child health and nutrition outcomes.MethodsWe did a cluster-randomised trial in Rusizi district, western Rwanda. We defined villages as clusters. We assessed villages for eligibility then randomly selected 150 for the study using a simple random sampling routine in Stata. We stratified villages by wealth index and by the proportion of children younger than 2 years with caregiver-reported diarrhoea within the past 7 days. We randomly allocated these villages to three study groups: no intervention (control; n=50), eight community health club sessions (Lite intervention; n=50), or 20 community health club sessions (Classic intervention; n=50). Households in these villages were enrolled in 2013 for a baseline survey, then re-enrolled in 2015 for an endline survey. The primary outcome was caregiver-reported diarrhoea within the previous 7 days in children younger than 5 years. Analysis was by intention to treat and per protocol. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01836731.FindingsAt the baseline survey undertaken between May, 2013, and August, 2013, 8734 households with children younger than 5 years of age were enrolled. At the endline survey undertaken between Sept 21, 2015, and Dec 22, 2015, 7934 (91%) of the households were re-enrolled. Among children younger than 5 years, the prevalence of caregiver-reported diarrhoea in the previous 7 days was 514 (14%) of 3616 assigned the control, 453 (14%) of 3196 allocated the Lite intervention (prevalence ratio compared with control 0·97, 95% CI 0·81–1·16; p=0·74), and 495 (14%) of 3464 assigned the Classic intervention (prevalence ratio compared with control 0·99, 0·85–1·15; p=0·87).InterpretationCommunity health clubs, in this setting in western Rwanda, had no effect on caregiver-reported diarrhoea among children younger than 5 years. Our results question the value of implementing this intervention at scale for the aim of achieving health gains.FundingBill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

‘It doesn’t seem like PE and I love it’: Adolescent girls’ views of a health club physical education approach

School-based physical education (PE) is the most efficient and cost-effective means of increasing girls’ physical activity. Therefore, this project used a health club (HC) approach to alter a high school PE experience for 17 grade nine girls (M age = 14.6 ± .49). As part of a larger mixed-methods study, this qualitative element gauged adolescent girls’ perceptions of their HC experience using the frameworks of interpretive description and practice-referenced research. Students participated in both pre- and post-intervention semi-structured focus group interviews and completed journals throughout the 14-week intervention. Results revealed autonomy as one organizing theme, including students reporting the importance of choice, variety, and novelty. A second organizing theme was relatedness, with subthemes specific to how girls appreciated having a single-gender PE experience, and their desire for a positive relationship with the research assistants who were leading the experience at the health club.

Physician Assistant Students’ Perceptions of the Fitness Industry and Lifestyle Medicine

INTRODUCTION: With nearly two-thirds of all chronic disease having a lifestyle cause, there is spurred interest in curricular changes for Physician Assistants (PA) and other medical providers to learn Lifestyle Medicine (LM) - the therapeutic use of lifestyle changes to prevent, treat and reverse disease. A key competency in LM practice involves an interdisciplinary approach, including aid from fitness professionals. Yet, perceptions of the fitness industry might hinder such a relationship. PURPOSE: To assess PA students’ knowledge of LM and perceptions of the fitness industry, to guide curriculum implementation efforts. METHODS: An online survey was advertised to all PA students at Baylor College of Medicine. Students’ competence in assessing and prescribing physical activity and diet, knowledge of LM, current curriculum time spent on LM, and desire to learn more about LM were assessed. Students were also asked to share their attitude of both health clubs and personal trainers, alongside referral perceptions. RESULTS: 76 (84%) of students (25.57 ± 4.86 years; 22.77 ± 4.20 kg/m2) completed the survey, self-reporting moderate competence (range: 1-6) in conducting a physical exam to approve an exercise program (4.22 ± 1.22), determining caloric and nutritional needs (3.80 ± 1.34), and designing an exercise prescription (3.57 ± 1.35). However, only 18%, 6%, and 6% self-rated full competence in each, respectively. 31% of students had heard of the discipline of LM, with 43% self-reporting inadequate or poor knowledge. 0% felt they spent enough time on LM in their program, and 78% rated their time spent on LM was either poor or inadequate. Yet, 100% wanted to learn more. Perceptions of health clubs and personal trainers were positive (8.16 ± 1.68; range: 1-10), with them being appropriate exercise venues for patients (7.78 ± 1.76). However, only 6% - 16% believed that health clubs and personal trainers were fully qualified, effective, smart, and concerned about patient health. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the role of lifestyle on chronic disease, PA students had limited competence and knowledge in LM, but held a unanimous desire for more in their educational training. Perceptions of the fitness industry were generally positive; yet educational efforts might be needed to encourage a team-approach to chronic disease care.

Peer Effects in Service Usage

Researchers in marketing, sociology, and economics have been interested in the role of social interactions in consumer choice and consumption behaviors. Social interactions, labeled variously as peer effects, social contagion, and neighborhood effects, have important implications for firms’ allocation of marketing efforts. In this research, we test and provide empirical evidence for peer effects in consumers’ service usage in the context of gym-going behaviors. Using a detailed individual-level membership and attendance data at one of the largest health club chains in the U.S., we document that a focal member’s gym-going behavior is influenced by the behaviors and characteristics of the peers at the same branch.

Impact of Community Health Clubs on Diarrhea and Anthropometry in Western Rwanda: Cluster‐Randomized Controlled Trial

ObjectiveCommunity health clubs (CHCs)—multi‐session village‐level gatherings led by trained facilitators, designed to promote healthful behaviors—have been implemented in several African and Asian countries but have never been rigorously evaluated. We aimed to evaluate the impact of CHCs on child health and nutrition outcomes.MethodsWe conducted a cluster‐randomized controlled trial to evaluate the health impact of two versions of the CHC model in Rusizi district, western Rwanda. We enrolled 8734 households with children under five years of age in a baseline survey in 2013. A total of 150 villages were randomized to three groups: no intervention (control, n=50), eight sessions (Lite, n=50), or 20 sessions (Classic, n=50). We re‐enrolled 7934 (91%) of the households in an endline survey in 2015. The primary outcomes were caregiver‐reported diarrhea in children <5 years within the previous seven days and nutritional status of children <2 years, measured through length‐for‐age (LAZ) and weight‐for‐length (WLZ) z‐scores. We measured intermediate outcomes related to water, sanitation, hygiene, infant and young child feeding, and food security. To analyze impact on dichotomous variables at the individual level, we used log‐binomial regression with a log link function and generalized estimating equations (GEE) to account for community level clustering, then exponentiated the coefficients to obtain prevalence ratios (PRs). For dichotomous outcomes at the household level, we used binomial regression with an identity link function and GEE, to obtain risk differences (RDs). For continuous variables, we used linear regression with GEE. All analyses accounted for clustering at the village level. Analysis was by intention to treat and per‐protocol.ResultsWe observed no impact on caregiver‐reported diarrhea in the Lite (PR=0.97, 95% CI: 0.81–1.16) or the Classic group (PR=0.99, CI: 0·85–1·15). We observed no impact on LAZ in the Lite (β=−0·04, 95% CI: −0·18–0·11) or the Classic (β=−0·08, 95% CI: −0·23–0·08) group, nor on WLZ in the Lite (β=−0·01, 95% CI: −0·12–0·10) or the Classic (β=−0·07, 95% CI: −0·18–0·05) group. The Classic intervention had a positive impact on reported household water treatment (RD=0·086, 95% CI: 0·029–0·14), use of improved sanitation facilities (RD=0·085, 95% CI: 0·015–0·16), and presence of structurally complete sanitation facility (RD=0·065, 95% CI: 0·0013–0·13). There was no impact on the remaining intermediate outcomes, including improved microbiological water quality; drinking water source; presence of a hand washing station with soap; exclusive breastfeeding for children <6 months; dietary diversity for children 6–23 months; or household food security. In the Lite intervention, there was no impact on any intermediate outcomes. Per‐protocol analysis of households in the Classic arm who reported attending all 20 sessions suggested positive impacts on reported household water treatment (RD=0·20, 95% CI: 0·12–0·28), use of improved sanitation facility (RD=0·14, 95% CI: 0·053–0·22), and presence of structurally complete sanitation facility (RD=0·075, 95% CI: 0·0014–0·15). No other differences were noted.ConclusionsThe CHC approach, as implemented in this setting in western Rwanda, had no impact on any main outcomes, but it had a positive impact on household water treatment and type and structure of sanitation facility. Our results raise questions about the value of implementing this intervention at scale.Support or Funding InformationBill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Influencing College and Higher Education Choices in Disadvantaged Hispanic High School Students Through a School-Based Health Club.

Statistics representing professional health care providers do not adequately reflect the shift in the nation's diverse population. Latinos are significantly underrepresented at all levels of appropriate academic programs critical for entry to health profession careers. This project describes the implementation of a student-run, faculty-facilitated Future Nurse and Health Club at a school (with majority Latino students) to emphasize the importance of higher education in health care. Demographic and psychosocial profiles of club members were also developed to understand community needs. The Future Nurse and Health Club was established in partnership with faculty and researchers representing a university-based nursing program, school officials, and community leaders. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from club members and their parents using a variety of techniques including questionnaires and focus groups. The findings of the study highlighted a variety of student- and parent-related factors including poor lifestyle habits and perceptions of support that could potentially influence Latino high school students' interest and progress in health care-related higher education. A school-based health career club involving active participation of parents and students with support from health care professionals such as academic nursing faculty has the potential to simultaneously raise student interest in health-related careers and health needs of their community.

Associations of Health Club Membership with Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health.

IntroductionThis study evaluates whether a health club membership is associated with meeting the US physical activity (PA) guidelines and/or favorable cardiovascular health.MethodsUsing cross-sectional data of health club members (n = 204) and non-members (n = 201) from April to August 2013, this is the first study to our knowledge to examine a health club membership in relation to objectively measured cardiovascular health indicators including resting blood pressure, resting heart rate, body mass index, waist circumference, and cardiorespiratory fitness based on a non-exercise test algorithm. To determine the total PA and sedentary time, this study used a comprehensive PA questionnaire about both aerobic and resistance activities at the health club, as well as lifestyle activities in other settings, which was developed based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).ResultsThe odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of meeting either the aerobic, resistance, or both aerobic and resistance PA guidelines for members compared to non-members were 16.5 (9.8–27.6), 10.1 (6.2–16.3), and 13.8 (8.5–22.4), respectively. Significant associations of health club membership with more favorable cardiovascular health outcomes and sedentary behavior were observed for resting heart rate (B: -4.8 b/min, p<0.001), cardiorespiratory fitness (B: 2.1 ml/kg/min, p<0.001), and sedentary time (B: -1.4 hours, p<0.001). Participants with a health club membership of >1 year had more favorable health outcomes, with a smaller waist circumference (men, B: -4.0 cm, p = 0.04; women, B: -3.4 cm, p = 0.06), compared to non-members.ConclusionsHealth club membership is associated with significantly increased aerobic and resistance physical activity levels and more favorable cardiovascular health outcomes compared to non-members. However, longitudinal, randomized controlled trials would be clearly warranted as cross-sectional data prohibits causal inferences.

The Effectiveness of Chronic Disease Management Program in Blood Pressure Control among Hypertensive Patients

Background : The prevention and management of hypertension are major public health challenges for Indonesia and the rest of the world. If the rise in blood pressure with age could be prevented or diminished, much of hypertension, cardiovascular and renal disease, and stroke might be prevented. In Indonesia, the Social Security Administration Agency (BPJS) has administered a government program to control chronic diseases, including hypertension, namely Prolanis (chronic disease management program). This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of chronic disease management program in controlling systolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Subjects and Method : This was an analytic observational study with case control design. The study was conducted at Pratama Griya Husada Clinic 2 Tasikmadu, Karanganyar, Central Java, in April 2017. A sample of 120 hypertensive patients, consisting of 60 controlled hypertensive patients and 60 uncontrolled hypertension patients, were selected for this study using fixed disease sampling. The dependent variable was systolic blood pressure. The independent variable was chronic disease management program for systolic blood pressure control, consisting of health status monitoring, reminder, club activity, home visit, dietary education, and physical activity education. Data on diet were collected by Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) based on the DASH eating plan. Physical activity data were collected by short-form International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The other data were collected using questionnaires. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the data. Results : Blood pressure of hypertensive patients was reduced by chronic disease management program, including monitoring health status (ƅ= -6.34; 95% CI= -12.42 to -0.26; p= 0.041), reminder (b= -6.22; 95% CI = -13.30 to -0.87; p= 0.085), club activity (b= -3.46; 95% CI= -6.40 to -0.53; p= 0.021), home visit (b= -22.01; 95% CI= -41.85 to -2.17; p= 0.030), dietary education (b= -3.61; 95% CI= -6.66 to -0.57; p = 0.020), and physical activity education (b= -0.40; 95% CI= -0.79 to -0.01; p= 0.001). Conclusion : Chronic disease management program is effective to control blood pressure of hypertensive patients. The program’s components including monitoring health status, reminder, club activity, home visit, dietary education, and physical activity education, are effective in reducing blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Keywords : hypertension, chronic disease management program Correspondence: Frieska Dyanneza. Masters Program in Public Health, Sebelas Maret University, Jl. Ir. Sutami 36 A, Surakarta, Central Java. Email: frieskadyanneza@yahoo.co.id. Mobile: +6285741667850 Indonesian Journal of Medicine (2017), 2(1): 52-62 https://doi.org/10.26911/theijmed.2016.01.03.06

Investigating Time-in-Market Effects in Kuwait Health Clubs

Investigating Time-in-Market Effects in Kuwait Health Clubs

Needs Satisfaction Effect on Exercise Emotional Response: A Serial Mediation Analysis with Motivational Regulations and Exercise Intensity

Abstract — Regarding psychological responses to exercise, this study aimed to analyze the mediating effects of motivational regulations and intensity in the association between basic psychological needs satisfaction and emotional responses. This was a cross-sectional study of 495 health club members ( M = 40.50 years; SD = 13.54); of these, 186 were women (37.6%) and 309 men (62.4%), with an average attendance of 2.61 sessions per week ( SD = 1.29). Self-determination theory motivational regulations and basic psychological needs (BPN), perceived exercise intensity, and emotional response were measured. Serial mediation procedures were followed to test the interactions of variables. Models with autonomous regulations predicted positive emotional responses. As for the negative emotional response, the models with external regulation presented the highest predictions for negative activation. Results indicate that BPN satisfaction is associated with better emotional response, partially explained by autonomous regulations and perceived exercise intensity. In externally regulated individuals, perceived exercise intensity appears to be important to sustain a better emotional response.Keywords: motivational regulation, basic psychological needs satisfaction, perceived exercise intensity, emotional response

Improving dietary diversity of school adolescents through school based nutrition education and home gardening in Jimma Zone: Quasi-experimental design

PurposeThe purpose of this operational study was to assess the effectiveness school-based health and nutrition intervention supported with backyard gardening on the dietary diversity among school adolescents. MethodsA total of 1000 school adolescents from 10 to 19years were selected randomly. The intervention involved peer-led behavior change communication and health promotion through school media and health clubs. Data were collected at baseline, midline and end-line using structured questionnaires. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to determine the independent effect of interventions. ResultsThere was a significant increment of proportion of school children consuming diversified diet among the intervention group from 34.8% at baseline through 65.6% at midline to 74.7% at the end-line (p<0.001). Among control group, there was no change from midline (49.4%) to endline (48.8%), though there was a change from baseline (32.1%) to midline (49.4%). A significant difference of dietary diversity intake was observed between intervention and control groups at midline (F=5.64, p=0.042) and endline (F=5.85, p<0.001) survey. Being in the intervention school (OR=2.55 [1.55, 3.50]), being a boy (OR=1.75 [1.91, 2.56]) and having farmer mothers (OR=2.58 [1.01, 6.87]) were independent positive predictors of a diversified diet intake. However, having a mother who attended secondary schools were inversely associated (OR=0.25 [0.06, 0.97]) with consuming a diversified diet. ConclusionFindings of this study demonstrated that there was a significant improvement in dietary diversity of adolescents in intervention schools. The results imply that school based nutrition education should be a part of comprehensive school health programs to reach students and potentially their families.

Healthy older adults balance pattern under dual task conditions: exploring the strategy and trend.

Background: In line with health promotion plans, early intervention and fall prevention in geriatric population, it is important to study healthy individuals balance mechanisms. The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of adding and removing visual input and dual task on elderly balance. Methods: Twenty healthy elderly recruited from four different senior citizen health club centers and from the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences (USWR) participated in this analytic cross-sectional study. At USWR’s Motor Control Laboratory, the participants’ postural sway were assessed using force plate in 4 distinct double leg standing conditions with and without presence of visual input and Stroop dual task. Postural and Stroop variables were compared. Results: Findings indicated that when the elderly encountered with either dual task or absence of visual input, they can still manage the situation in a way that changes in sway parameter would not become significant. But, when these two conditions occurred simultaneously, the participant’s balance strategy fluctuated. Therefore, the mean velocity showed a significant difference between the “single quiet standing” condition and the condition of standing with eyes closed while the participants were answering Stroop dual task (Mean difference = -0.007, 95% CI = -0.012, -0.002). Conclusion: It appears that velocity parameter is sensitive to small changes, so it is recommended that researchers include this parameter in their future analyses. Balance in elderly can be manipulated by dual task and visual input deprivation.