Examining the relationship between exercise induced fatigue and postural stability among geriatric patients with vestibular disorders

Purpose: This study examined: (1) the relationship between exercise induced fatigue and postural balance amongst geriatric patients with vestibular disorders. (2) Assessed the duration for postural stability to return to baseline measurements upon induced fatigue. Methods: A controlled pre-post test experimental design method was used during this study. This study incorporated a quantitative analysis to explore the relationship between exercise induced fatigue and postural balance with a sample of 24 subjects. The subjects were randomly assigned to either an experimental or control group. Baseline postural stability measurements were conducted prior to all subject testing and were accounted for again once testing was completed in order to assess the duration for postural stability to return to baseline measurements. All subject testing was conducted using a treadmill and a CYBEX CSMi balance board. Results: The results indicated that age can predict baseline balance score, baseline balance percent, maximum heart rate achieved, immediate posttest balance score, terminal posttest balance score, and terminal posttest balance percent. BMI, obesity, gender, were found to be significant among control and experimental groups when holding baseline balance percent and baseline balance scores constant. Conclusion: It is important for geriatrics who possess a vestibular disorder maintain a healthy and active lifestyle so that they can reduce the risk of falling by lowering their BMI and lowering their chances of obesity. BMI and obesity were found to be positively correlated with an increased risk of falling