The effect of square stepping training on stable and unstable surfaces on balance and fear of falling in elderly women
Poster Presentation
Paper ID : 1501-SSRC
Authors
1دانشجو دانشگاه گیلان
2استاد، دانشکده تربیت بدنی و علوم ورزشی دانشگاه گیلان
Abstract
Introduction: Aging is an undeniable phenomenon, and one of the most common problems in old age is balance impairment and fear of falling. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of square stepping training on stable and unstable surfaces on balance and fear of falling in the elderly women.
Materials and Methods: This was a semi-experimental and applied study with a pre-test and post-test design. The sample consisted of 45 elderly women aged 60 to 74 years, selected from elderly centers in Rasht city in 2023 using convenience and purposive sampling. They were randomly assigned to two exercise groups (stable surface n=15 and unstable surface n=15) and a control group (n=15). The exercises were performed three times a week for eight weeks, with each session lasting 60 minutes. Balance was measured using the Fullerton advanced balance (FBA) scale, and fear of falling was measured using the International Falls Efficacy Scale (FES-I) questionnaire before and after the exercise program. Data were analyzed using mixed analysis of variance, ANOVA, dependent t-test, Bonferroni post-hoc test, and two-way t-test at a significance level of p<0.05 using SPSS software version 23.
Results: The results showed a significant difference between the three groups in balance and fear of falling (p<0.05), such that stable and unstable surface exercises had a significant effect on balance (stable p=0.001, unstable p=0.001) and fear of falling in the elderly (stable p=0.001, unstable p=0.001) compared to the control group.
Conclusion: Eight weeks of square stepping exercises on stable and unstable surfaces improved balance and fear of falling in the elderly. In comparison between exercises, square stepping exercises on unstable surfaces had a relatively greater effect on these components. Therefore, it is recommended that coaches and therapists use square stepping exercises on stable and unstable surfaces for rehabilitation and exercise of the elderly to improve their balance, fear of falling, and performance.
Materials and Methods: This was a semi-experimental and applied study with a pre-test and post-test design. The sample consisted of 45 elderly women aged 60 to 74 years, selected from elderly centers in Rasht city in 2023 using convenience and purposive sampling. They were randomly assigned to two exercise groups (stable surface n=15 and unstable surface n=15) and a control group (n=15). The exercises were performed three times a week for eight weeks, with each session lasting 60 minutes. Balance was measured using the Fullerton advanced balance (FBA) scale, and fear of falling was measured using the International Falls Efficacy Scale (FES-I) questionnaire before and after the exercise program. Data were analyzed using mixed analysis of variance, ANOVA, dependent t-test, Bonferroni post-hoc test, and two-way t-test at a significance level of p<0.05 using SPSS software version 23.
Results: The results showed a significant difference between the three groups in balance and fear of falling (p<0.05), such that stable and unstable surface exercises had a significant effect on balance (stable p=0.001, unstable p=0.001) and fear of falling in the elderly (stable p=0.001, unstable p=0.001) compared to the control group.
Conclusion: Eight weeks of square stepping exercises on stable and unstable surfaces improved balance and fear of falling in the elderly. In comparison between exercises, square stepping exercises on unstable surfaces had a relatively greater effect on these components. Therefore, it is recommended that coaches and therapists use square stepping exercises on stable and unstable surfaces for rehabilitation and exercise of the elderly to improve their balance, fear of falling, and performance.
Keywords