Whole body vibration impact to the balance of elderly

Object of study: is to identify the impacts of whole body vibration and physical activity in balance. Problem of study: We live in time when scientific and technical developments increasingly makes its way into medicine. Since 1990 European countries started to invoke whole body vibration for rehabilitation treatments. Scientists discovered that whole body vibration exercises in conjunction results in a faster restoration of damaged skeletal muscle system functions. However there is no data collected on how does whole body vibration impact the balance. Aim of study: to investigate the effects of whole body vibration and physical exercises in the elderly balance. Goals of study: 1. Determine the influence of physical exercises for the balance of observational group. 2. Determine the influence of WBV and physical exercises for the balance. 3. Compare the effectiveness between WBV and conventional physical therapy exercises for the balance. Methods and organization of study: The study was conducted beginning with October 2011 to March 2012 in the Kaunas District Social Services Center, day care unit. The study included 40 older adults ranging in age from 60 to 75 years. All subjects randomly divided into two groups: Control group, which continued on regular physical exercises routine and case study group which had WBV physical exercising routine applied. To asses the effectiveness for the balance these tests were performed: Dynamic Gait Index, Timed Up and Go Test, 30 second chair stand test, 2 Minute Step in Place Test, CTSIB. All persons involved in this study were tested at the baseline and at the end of 8 weeks period. Conclusions: 1. Subjects who performed physical exercising significantly improved the balance (p0,05)