THE EFFECT OF CORE STABILIZATION TRAINING PROGRAM ON ELDERLY POSTURAL CONTROL
Masod GOLPAIGANY1, Nader SHAVANDI1, Solmaz MAHDAVI2, A Farzaneh HESSARI2, Esmaeil ALI BAKHSHI3
1Dept. of Sport Pathology, Faculty of Physical Education, Arak University, Arak, Iran
2Dept. of Sport Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education, Gilan University, Rasht, Iran
3Exercise Physiology Res. Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
Keywords: Core stability, postural control, falling risk, elderly
Abstract
As hygienic principles are increasingly considered, longevity and elderly population augments in consequence. Sixty females recruited from a total of 200 and aged more than 60 years (70.6 ± 6.0 yrs, 55.8 ± 5.8 kg of weight and 157.8 ± 7.8 cm of height) were classified as low falling risk and high falling risk. Then, these subjects were randomly divided into two experimental and control groups. A week prior to starting the training program, their balance status were measured with the Berg balance test (BBT) and compared with independent and dependent t-tests. The experimental group followed a core stabilization program of three days per week, for eight weeks. At the end of this period, they performed better (p<0.05) than the controls. The training program had also better effects on the high risk group. Significant differences were observed for balance following the training program, in both the anteroposterior and mediolateral planes (p<0.05). In conclusion, significant differences were shown in improving balance and postural control after a related training program in elderly women.
