Abstract
Background & Objective: One of the main causes of falls in the elderly is imbalance. Using exercise and sports training is one of the low–cost and effective ways to improve balance in the elderly. The purpose of the present study was to compare the effect of different types of physical activities on static and dynamic balance in the elderly based on the application of open and closed exercises.
Methods: This study was a quasi–experimental study with a pretest–posttest design. The statistical population of this study was all male elderly living in Kermanshah City, Iran. Twenty subjects were selected from this community and were randomly divided into two groups of 10 individuals for open and closed motor skills training. The inclusion criteria included filling out a consent form, being over 60 years of age, being independent in day–to–day work, being right foot dominant, not smoking, lacking an acute medical problem, not having a nerve medication, and not participating in regular physical activity and exercise during the week. The exclusion criteria included failure to participate in an exercise program, sedative medication, psychological disorders, and medical conditions that prohibited physical activity. The tools of this study were the static balance Flamingo test and the timed up–and–go test. The participants in the open and closed skill groups performed their training program for 12 weeks, 3 sessions per week for one hour. The training program for the open skills training group was to take part in a table tennis program. In contrast, participants in the closed–skill group participated in a yoga exercise program. To test the research hypothesis, statistical analysis of covariance in SPSS23 software was used.
Results: The mean (SD) static open–eye balance scores in the pretest and posttest of the table tennis training group (open skill) were 2.46 (0.26) and 3.42 (0.24), respectively. The test and posttest of the yoga group (closed exercise) were 2.69 (0.33) and 3.78 (0.40), respectively. The mean (SD) static balance with eyes closed in the pretest and posttest in the open exercise group were 1.63 (0.34) and 2.37 (0.39) in the pretest and posttest, respectively and in the open exercise group (table tennis), they were 1.83 (0.43), and 3.08 (0.45), respectively. Also, the mean (SD) dynamic balance in the pretest and posttest of the open training group were 14.91 (0.58) and 13.30 (0.36), respectively, and in the pretest and posttest of the closed group were 14 (0.88), and 12.83 (0.75). The Shapiro–Wilk test was used for data normality, and Levene’s test for homogeneity of variances. Finally, the t test and covariance analysis were used to test the research hypothesis. The results of the independent t test showed no significant difference in static and dynamic balance in pretest scores between groups. According to the results of the covariance test, the effect of the group on posttest static balance scores with an open eye and dynamic balance was significant, and according to Eta squared, 45% of static balance changes and 35% of dynamic balance changes were due to the effect of exercise type. In other words, open exercises, compared to closed exercises, promote dynamic balance in the elderly. In addition, closed exercises have a greater effect on promoting static balance with closed eyes than open exercises.
Conclusion: Compared to open motor training, closed yoga practice had more effect on static balance, whereas open table tennis training was better than close skill training in promoting elderly dynamic balance.