effect of eight weeks of step training on static and dynamic balance in elderly women with nonspecific chronic knee pain.

Aging is associated with reduced physical and cognitive abilities, but physical activity has positive effects on the lives of these people.The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of eight weeks of step exercises on static and dynamic balance in elderly women with chronic nonspecific knee pain.

In the present quasi-experimental study, 30 elderly women of Shahrekord city were selected by convenience sampling and randomly divided into two exercise groups (age: 65.64±4.45 years, height:165.64±3.34 cm,weight:78.45±4.62 kg)and control(age: 62.14±3.45 years, height:162.91±3.32 kg, weight: 76.26±3.66 kg).The experimental group performed eight weeks of step training (3 sessions of 30 minutes per week). In this period, the subjects in the control group had their daily activities. Before and after the training period, static and dynamic balance were assessed by scoring tests of balance error and getting up and going. Data analysis was performed by repeated measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc test SPSS20 at the level of 0.05.

The results showed that eight weeks of step training had a significant effect on static balance (P = 0.01) and dynamic balance (P = 0.001).

Stair exercises have an effect on static and dynamic balance and based on the results of these exercises in elderly women, by creating effective physiological adaptations, they also affect the nervous and psychological system of the elderly and thus can improve the balance of the elderly women. Accordingly, it is recommended that older women with specific knee pain perform stair exercises.