The Role of stepping Exergame Trainings and Treadmill Walking on the Development of Physical Functions in Older Adults

The aim of the current study is to compare three exergame training and treadmill walking methods on physical functions associated with fall in older adults. Sixty older adults (aged 6070) from Shiraz participated in this study. We included only those individuals who reported never having played video games and/or never had a history of falling. They gave their informed consent according to the principles outlined by the Ethics Committee of Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education. The participants were not compensated for their participation. They were assigned into four homogeneous groups (single exergame (N=15), multiplayer exergame (N=15), cognitive exergame (N=15) and treadmill walking (N=1.5). After the pretest, they participated in the study for 12 sessions (4weeks, 3 sessions per week). After the last session, the post test was taken. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) were used to analyze the data. Results showed the participants’ balance and lower limb strength improved after these 12 sessions )P<0.05). A significant difference was not found in balance between groups in post tests )P< 0.05). The multiplayer exergame group gained better scores in balance. Also, in lower limb strength, this difference wasn’t significant. The single exergame group did better in the chair stand test. The findings indicate that sedentary older adults can benefit from stepping exergame trainings in order to reduce fall risk.