The Effect of a Training Intervention Program on Fall- Related Motor Performance in the Male Elderly without Regular Physical Activity

The aim of this research was to examine the effect of a training intervention program on fall-related motor performance in the male elderly with no regular physical activities. For this purpose، 39 out of 130 participants in screen test were selected and assigned to training group (n=20) and control group (n=19). Subjects aged between 60 and 70 in experimental were 73. 68% and in the control group 43. 75% and subjects aged 71 and above were 26. 31% in the experimental group and 56. 25% in the control group. Experimental group participated in a 10-week intervention program (3 sessions per week and 90 minutes per session). Data were collected with 30-s seat، sit and reach، one-leg standing (eyes open and closed)، up and go، 10-meter walk and 10-meter obstacle walk tests. In this semi-experimental research، Kolmogorov-Smirnov and independent t test was used to analyse motor performance measures. Results indicated a significant improve in mean scores of lower extremity strength (27. 37 rep)، flexibility (29. 28 cm)، static balance with eyes open (60. 94 sec) and closed (19. 36 sec)، agility and dynamic balance (4. 10 sec)، 10-meter walk (3. 35 sec) and 10-meter obstacle walk (4. 03 sec) in the experimental group after the 10-week training intervention program (P<0. 05). The findings confirmed the effect of training interventions (especially strength training) on improving fall-related motor performance and preventing probable falls in the elderly.