Correlation between changes in balance and fall-related psychological and functional measures of men older adults after a combined training program

The study examined correlation between balance-and-fall-related psychological and functional measures of men older adults after a combined training program. Sample include 31 healthy older adults over 60-year assigned randomly to intervention (mean age=66. 08±4. 39) or control groups (mean age=70. 14±7. 33) that 2 subjects dropped out from each group. Variables measured by 30-s Chair- Stand Test، Seat and Reach، Up and Go، ABC، FES-I. Data was analyzed by tstudent، Percent change، Pearson Correlation Coefficient، and Effect Size. Mean scores of lower extremity strength، flexibility، agility and dynamic balance، speed، static balance، fear of falling، and balance confidence improved significantly in intervention group than control group (p<0. 05). Effect of the intervention program on functional and psychological measures was not equal. Largest effect size observed in lower extremity strength، balance confidence، and static balance، respectively. The smallest effect size was observed in flexibility، fear of falling، and agility/dynamic balance. Change in lower extremity strength was significantly correlated with changed in speed (-0. 66) and change in flexibility was correlated with change in agility and speed significantly. But not significant correlations observed between functional and psychological measures changes (p≤0. 05). Correlation between changes in fear of falling and balance confidence was significant (r=-0. 66، p≤0. 05). The training program with education program was effective to improve balance-and-fall-related psychological and functional measures in men older adults.