Effect of fatigue on balance, motor function, lower limb strength, and quality of life of the two groups of elderly people at home and in a nursing home

One of the problems of the elderly is a decrease in balance and quality of life of senior citizens. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the effect of fatigue on balance, motor function, lower limb strength, and quality of life of the two groups of elderly people at home and in a nursing home.

The present study was conducted based on a prospective quasi-experimental design. For this purpose, 35 elderly women at home and 35 elderly women in nursing homes in Miyaneh were selected via available sampling. To carry out the fatigue protocol, the subjects performed sitting and standing movements with their hands on their chests. Subjects were administered the relevant tests under normal conditions and without fatigue. In the second session, which was held 48 hours later, the subjects performed the fatigue protocol and then performed balance, motor function (TUG), and lower limb strength tests (number of takeoff and landing chairs). The quality of life in both groups was assessed using the Leipad Elderly Quality of Life questionnaire. Data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 24) using independent and dependent t-tests.

The results demonstrated a significant difference (P=0.001) between the two groups of elderly women in nursing homes and those living at home in terms of motor function, strength, and quality of life. Nonetheless, there was no significant difference (P=0.127) in the balance of the two elderly groups.

As evidenced by the results of this study, the quality of life of the elderly in nursing homes was lower than that of the elderly at home, and fatigue can exert a more marked effect on the motor function and strength of these people. Therefore, it is recommended to prioritize the design of exercise interventions with the approach of increasing the fatigue threshold to improve the parameters related to the quality of life of the elderly.