Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of independently conducted static balance exercises within a fall-safe environment in elderly participants engaging in independent training.
Design: Randomized two-group parallel controlled study.
Setting: Retirement center, community dwelling.
Subjects: Subjects, 25 male and female volunteers (aged 82.6 ± 6.1 years; weight 69.9 ± 97 kg; height 165 ± 6.9 cm; body mass index (BMI) 25.6 ± 2.6) residing in independent living facilities were randomly assigned to an experimental group or a control group.
Intervention: The experimental group engaged in standing, static balancing, and mild leg exercise 12 minutes per session, three times per week for 12 weeks. Exercises were done independent of spotters within a rigid frame consisting of tethers connected to the subject so that he or she could not fall. The control group were given literature on prevention of falls.
Main outcome measures: Functional ability and balance was assessed using the following tests: 30-second chair stand test, 8-foot up and go test, Berg Balance Scale, and a step-up test.
Results: Comparison by repeated-measures ANOVA of the performance before and after the 12-week intervention yielded significant (P < 0.01) improvement for the experimental group over the control group in the 30-second chair test repetitions, in the 8-foot up and go test, in the balance assessment and in the leg function assessments.
Conclusion: Standing, static balance exercises conducted independently without safety supervision led to improvements in balance, functional ability, and leg functioning in frail elderly people.