The purpose of this study was to comparison the effect of 2 months square stepping exercise with combined training on balance, falling, fear of falling.37 elderly women participated and randomly divided into two groups: square step exercise (age: 68.8 ±2.6, height: 155.4 ±5.6, weight: 71.1 ±8.5, n=19) and combined training (age: 67.5 ±1.8, height: 158.2 ±6.4, weight: 68.5 ±3.9, n=18). Pre and after 8 weeks training program one leg stance, Berg, Functional reach, 10 m walking, TUG tests and fear of falling were measured. The acceleration of the center of the body was recorded using the accelerometer. To data analysis repeated measure analysis variance were used. Data results showed a significant increase for balance index, One leg stance, Berg balance test, functional reach, 10 meters running, TUG tests , fear of falling, falling in both groups (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between two training groups (p>0.05). Also result showed significantly negative correlation between ABI and TUG and the 10m walking respectively (p=0.001, r=-0.51, p=0.001, r=-067). There was a positive and significant correlation between ABI and fear of falling score (p=0.001, r=0.49). Functional reach test and Berg balance scale significantly correlated with ABI (p=0.001, r=0.4, p=0.001, r=0.41) respectively.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that both types of exercises have been effective in balance, falling, fear of falling and in elderly women. Also, square step exercise versus combined training almost equally improved the balance. It seems that the use of accelerometer and new balance index is a reliable and valid method for measuring balance of elderly women, which indicates ABI can predict falling in the elderly. It can be concluded that the use of accelerometer and new balance index is a reliable and valid method for measuring balance of elderly women, which indicates ABI can predict falling in the elderly. |
