The effect of aquatic and land-based exercise training on static and dynamic balance of healthy elderly males

The purpose this study was to examine the effect of exercise in and out of the water on balance of healthy elderly males. The subjects were 40 volunteers over 65 years healthy and physically active males, who had not experienced, proposed exercise programs of this study. The subjects were randomly assigned into three different groups [aquatic group (n=13), land group (n=12) and control group (n=15)]. The water and out of water groups participated in a 6 weeks similar exercise program of 3 times per week and 60 minutes per session. Each exercise session consisted of three main phases (warm up, main exercise program and cool down. Both experimental groups were assessed before and after the exercise program. The Sharpened Romberg Test and Star excursion balance test (SEBT) was used to measure changes in balance of subjects before and after exercise. Appropriate statistical tests were used to analysis the collected data (P<0/05). significant improvements observed in static and balance tests in water and land groups(P<0/05), but significant difference were not observed in between the two groups, and no significant differences observed in between pretest and post test scores in the control group (p>0/05). results showed static, dynamic balance among participants of this study is improved as a result of using training programs on the water and land. However, further evaluation needed to be done for long-term effects of using training programs on the water and land.