The Effect of Functional Training on Balance Indicators in Elderly Men
Keywords:
Static balance, Dynamic balance, Healthy elderly men, Aerobic trainingAbstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of functional training on static and dynamic balance in elderly men. In this quasi-experimental study, 26 healthy elderly men residing in a nursing home in Qazvin, who volunteered to participate in the research, were purposefully selected and assigned to experimental (n = 18) and control (n = 17) groups. The experimental group participated in a functional training program for 8 weeks, three sessions per week. Static and dynamic balance of the participants were assessed using the Stork Balance Test and the Timed Up and Go Test in two stages, before and after the 8-week intervention. Statistical analyses were conducted using paired t-tests and independent t-tests. After implementing the functional training program, dynamic balance in the experimental group increased significantly (p = 0.00), whereas no significant change was observed in static balance (p = 0.00). It appears that regular functional training improves dynamic balance in the elderly. Therefore, it can be recommended as an appropriate exercise approach for enhancing balance.
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