Body Sway Characteristics During Static Upright Position Following Systematic Balance Training in Older Adults

Abstract

Introduction: Postural stability is important to control the body’s position in space and for daily life activities, as increased postural sway increases the risk of falls, and is related to injuries and morbidity in older adults. Objective: The aim of the work was to establish whether systematic balance training of moderate intensity influences postural control measurements in older adults. Methods: Seventy-nine healthy, older adults (mean age 65.33 ±3.83 years) were randomly divided into 3 groups: classical balance training (CBT, n=32, mean age 66.03 ±3.19 years), virtual reality balance training (VBT, n=16, mean age 65.31 ±3.46 years) and the control (CON, n=31, mean age 64.61 ±4.54 years). Postural control was measured at inclusion, and after completion of the 12-week training cycle or in CON, with an interval of 12 weeks. Results: In the study, it was revealed that both forms of the applied BT caused significant changes in the examined parameters assessing balance. CBT improved reduced trunk deflection in the test with the closed eyes condition, while in the VBT group, improvement was noted mainly regarding parameters assessing static balance with open eyes. Conclusions: Systematic balance training was sufficient enough to induce improvement in parameters of static balance in both training groups. However, classical balance training influenced balance control to a greater extent. Systematic classical balance training may modulate the postural control strategy in older adults by improving proprioceptive response and changes concerning visual dependence in balance control.