A comparison between effects of specific balance training programme and general balance and mobility exercise programme for improving balance in elderly population.

INTRODUCTION : Biological functions decline with age. Deterioration of balance is a well documented hallmark of the ageing process. Poor balance is initially detectable in the sixth decade of life but then accelerates so that it becomes the rule rather than the exception by one's late eighties. Balance disturbances frequently cause elderly people to seek medical advice and admission to hospitals and residential homes. Impaired balance has been correlated with an increased risk for falls and a resulting increase in the mortality rate of elder people. METHODS : This chapter deals with the methods used for this study. These include information on the subjects, instrumentation used and the interventions given. A sample of convenience of 70 older adults took part in this study. The subjects were collected through a Geriatric camp organized at Padmavathy College Of Physiotherapy, Periannahalli, Dharmapuri and neighbour hood of the campus also volunteered for the study. Subjects who fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were ready to attend the exercise program regularly were selected. RESULTS : The group receiving General Balance and mobility exercise program (Group 1) consisted of 17 males and 18 females with a mean age of 69.24 ± 4.30 years while the Group 2 receiving Specific balance – strategy training programme consisted of 15 males and 20 females with a mean age of 69.89 ± 4.23 years. Both the groups were matched in terms of age, height and weight. CONCLUSION : This study thus concludes that although both General Balance and Mobility Exercise and Specific Balance-Strategy Training programme showed a significantly better improvement in balance as compared to Group 1. Thus, concluding that a Specific Balance – Strategy Training Programme is superior to a General Balance and Mobility exercise programme