Effects of Lower Extremity Muscle Strengthening Exercise Using Elastic Resistance on Balance on Elderly Women

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of study was to test the effect of lower extremity muscle strengthening exercise using elastic resistance on balance on elderly women. METHODS: Twenty four women who were over 65 years old were randomly assigned to either the experimental group that received the exercise programme (n=12) or to the control group (n=12) that continued normal activities except programme. Exercises included the following 7 different activities; chair squat, knee flection, extension, hip flection, extension, calf muscle raise, ankle dorsiflection. All the participants were subject to 3 tests, including One-Leg Standing Test, Functional Reaching Test, and Up & Go Test. The measurements were made before the excercise, 4 and 8 weeks after the exercise. The data were analyzed by using the two way repeated ANOVA. RESULTS: The results were as follows; As compared with change of balance capacity between groups, a significant difference was shown in the up and go test (p.05) and FRT (p>.05). CONCLUSION: The lower extremity muscle strengthening exercise using elastic resistance for the elderly women had some positive effects on the balance. Therefore this intervention can be broadly applied to other elders for preventing falls.