1. Balance Improvements in Independent-Living Elderly Adults Following a 12-Week Structured Exercise Program.
- Author
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Kloubec, June A., Rozga, Mary, and Block, Megan
- Subjects
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ACCIDENTAL fall prevention , *ANALYSIS of variance , *CHI-squared test , *COMPARATIVE studies , *POSTURAL balance , *EXERCISE , *LONGITUDINAL method , *HEALTH outcome assessment , *QUALITY of life , *SCALES (Weighing instruments) , *THERAPEUTICS , *TREATMENT effectiveness , *PRE-tests & post-tests , *CONTROL groups , *INDEPENDENT living , *FUNCTIONAL assessment - Abstract
The purpose of this study was to validate a comprehensive, functionally oriented exercise program to document any improvement in activity levels and functional capacity (especially balance) in independent-living older adults. Data were collected for 12 weeks on 31 subjects (mean age 84.76 [±4.50]) and 16 controls (mean age 86 [±7.02]). The Berg Balance score in the subjects demonstrated a statistically significant improvement between 0 and 12 weeks (p = 0.003). The controls showed no significant differences in any phase of the program. Perception of balance also improved significantly for the subjects (X 2 = 24.53) using the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]
- Published
- 2012
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