The Effects of a combined aerobic and balance training on balance in elderly women

Balance is an index to determine the level of independency of elderly(65 years and older) in their daily activities. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a combined aerobic and balance training on static, dynamic and functional balance of elderly women. this was a semi- experimental study with pre-test and post- test with one exercise intervention and one control group. 30 healthy elderly women volunteered to participate in the training and randomly assigned into two experimental and control groups. One day before the training initiates, functional test including: sharpend Romberg’s test (static balance with opened and closed eyes), Star Excursion balance test (dynamic balance) and Berg’s scale (functional balance) were performed in both groups. Then the experimental group started a 12-week (four sessions per week) combined aerobic and balance training while the other group was asked to continue its normal daily performance. At the end of 12 week, two groups were post- tested. Data were analyzed by independent T test, and ANCOVA statistical methods. No significant differences observed between pretest and post test scores in the control group (P< 0.05). Significant improvements observed in balance of the experimental group (P >0.05). The combined aerobic and balance training employed in this study resulted in considerable improvements in static, dynamic and functional balance in elderly women.