| THE COMPARISON OF THE EFFECT OF FUNCTIONAL BALANCE TRAINING ON FLAT SURFACE AND ARTIFICIAL COBBLESTONE ON FUNCTIONAL BALANCE, PROPRIOCEPTION, AND WALKING SPEED OF THE ELDERLY WOMEN WITH A HISTORY OF FALLING |
| Paper ID : 1080-SPORTCONGRESS (R1) |
| Authors |
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Nasrin Mashayekhi *1, zahra Saharkhiz2, Mohammad Fallah Mohammadi3, Mandana Mozaffari Shirazi3 1Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Faculty of literature, Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and Research Branch Islamic Azad University 2Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Faculty of literature, Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and Research Branch Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran 3Department of physical education, Faculty of Humanities, Shafagh Institute of Higher Education, Tonekabon, Iran |
| Abstract |
| Introduction: Balance impairment is one of the most common risk factors for falling among the elderly, which can lead to various complications. According to statistics, the prevalence of falls among the elderly in Iran has been reported between 27% and 30%. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of functional balance training on flat and artificial cobblestone surfaces on functional balance, proprioception, and walking speed in elderly women with a history of falling. Methods: Twenty-six elderly women aged 55 to 77 years were selected by convenience sampling. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) were used to select the participants. The subjects were divided into two groups: functional balance training on a flat surface and on an artificial cobblestone surface. Functional balance (using the Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale), proprioception of the ankle and knee (using a goniometer), and walking speed (10-meter maximal walking test) were evaluated before and after eight weeks of training. Data were analyzed using paired t-test and ANCOVA in SPSS software at a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. Results: Training on both the cobblestone surface (p = 0.001) and the flat surface (p = 0.001) had a significant effect on participants’ balance, ankle and knee proprioception, and walking speed. Also, significant difference was observed between experimental groups in terms of balance and proprioception of the ankle and knee (p < 0.01), whereas no significant difference was found in walking speed (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that eight weeks of functional balance training on both flat and artificial cobblestone surfaces had a significant effect on functional balance, proprioception of the ankle and knee, and walking speed in elderly women with a history of falls. Moreover, training on the artificial cobblestone surface was more effective. |
| Keywords |
| Functional balance training; proprioception; balance; walking speed; elderly |
| Status: Abstract Accepted (Poster Presentation) |
