The Effect of PETTLEP Imagery and Balance Practice on Dynamic Balance of the Elderly

In recent years, researchers have become interested in examining the effect of PETTLEP imagery on motor performance and how PETTLEP imagery can improve the performance. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of PETTLEP imagery and balance practice on dynamic balance in the elderly. Participants were 42 male elderly in Arak city. They were divided into 4 groups based on the scores of dynamic balance pretest. In order to measure dynamic balance, Bass and Star Balance tests were used. Homogeneous training groups included PETTLEP imagery, balance practice, mixed practice (balance practice and PETTLEP imagery practice) and control group. All groups except for the control group practiced 3 sessions (each session 45 min.) a week for 6 weeks. MANOVA with repeated measures was used to analyze the data (P≤0.01). Results showed the mixed and balance practice groups significantly improved in Bass and Star dynamic balance (P=0.000, P=0.001, P=0.000, P=0.000). PETTLEP imagery and control groups showed no significant improvement in Bass and Star dynamic balance (P=0.24, P=0.53, P=0.36, P=0.28). Also, the mixed group had more improvement in Bass and Star dynamic balance than balance practice group (P=0.002, P=0.004). Overall, these results showed that PETTLEP imagery practice along with physical training improved dynamic balance in male elderly, but PETTLEP imagery alone did not affect the improvement of dynamic balance in the male elderly.