Effects of low intensity exercises on body balance and muscle strength of community elderly people

Abstract

The purpose of this experimental study was to determine the effects of low-intensity group exercise on muscle strength and balance of elderly people in the communities. Seventy-two healthy elderly people from two communities participated in this study. Thirty-six elderly people were randomly selected and allocated into an experimental group and control group. The experimental group performed a supervised group exercise program in every work day's evening for three months. The exercise program began with warming up for five minutes, followed with low-intensity exercise program, and cooling down for another five minutes. The data were collected before and after three months of performing the exercise program. The outcome measures included muscle strength, body balance, and fear of falling. The data were analyzed by using ANCOVA to compare between the experimental group and the control group. After performing the exercise program for three months, the experimental group had developed better health status than before participating the program and it was significantly different from the control group. The experimental participants' muscle strength was increased by 1.79 points. Their dynamic balance periods were shorter than before receiving the exercise program by 1.32 seconds. Moreover, it was revealed that the experimental participants' fear of falling was decreased by 17.74 points. After three months of involving in the low-intensity exercise program, their health status remained better and healthier while the participants' health status of the control group remained the same as the starting period. The results revealed that the low-intensity group exercise program could improve muscle strength, body balance, and fear of falling among elderly people.