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Effect of 24‐week strength training on unstable surfaces on mobility, balance, and concern about falling in older adults
Author(s) -
Pirauá André Luiz Torres,
Cavalcante Bruno Remígio,
Oliveira Valéria Mayaly Alves,
Beltrão Natália Barros,
Amorim Batista Gabriel,
Pitangui Ana Carolina Rodarti,
Behm David,
Araújo Rodrigo Cappato
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.575
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1600-0838
pISSN - 0905-7188
DOI - 10.1111/sms.13510
Subject(s) - medicine , balance (ability) , fear of falling , randomized controlled trial , physical therapy , berg balance scale , timed up and go test , dynamic balance , psychological intervention , falling (accident) , physical medicine and rehabilitation , poison control , injury prevention , physics , environmental health , quantum mechanics , psychiatry
Objective To evaluate the effects of 24 weeks of strength training on stable (ST) and unstable surfaces (UST) on the functional mobility, balance, and concern about falling in healthy older adults, younger than 70. Design A single‐center randomized clinical trial. Participants Sixty‐four older adults (58 females and 6 males; 68 years) were randomized into control, ST, or UST groups. Interventions Both ST and UST intervention groups received a core muscle, upper, and lower limb moderate‐intensity strength exercises using stable and unstable surfaces. The classes were performed three times per week over a 24‐week period. The control group did not receive any type of active intervention. Measurements The primary outcome measures were the dynamic balance (Berg Balance Scale (BBS)) and functional mobility (timed up and go (TUG) test). The secondary outcomes included the sitting and rising test (SRT) and Falls Efficacy Scale—International (FESI) scores. Results There was a significant improvement in balance performance (BBS = +4 points) after 24 weeks of both ST (+1.22; 95% CI, −0.19 to 2.63) and UST (+2.26; 95% CI, 0.83‐3.70) compared with the control group. Additionally, compared with the control, only UST experienced functional mobility gains (TUG = −2.44; 95% CI, −4.41 to −0.48; SRT = +1.12; 95% CI, 0.08‐2.17) and decreased concern about falling (FESI = −4.41; 95% CI, −9.30 to −0.27). Conclusion Long‐term ST with and without unstable devices was effective to improve dynamic balance in older adults. Furthermore, the effects of UST were extended to functional mobility gains and reduced concern about falling.