The Effect of an Exercise-Based Balance Intervention on Physical and Cognitive Performance for Older Adults

• DOI: 10.1519/jpt.0b013e3181ff22f5
• Publication Date: 2020-06-21T23:25:07Z
• Authors: Tiffany E. Shubert; Karen McCulloch; Marilyn Hartman; Carol A. Giuliani
• Keywords: Cognitive flexibility; Aerobic Exercise

Background: Several exercise-based falls prevention interventions produced significant long-term reductions in fall rate, but few demonstrate improvements risk factors. A strong body of evidence supports a protective effect aerobic or strength-training exercise on cognition. Individuals participating an balance improvement program may also experience this effect. This contribute to the decreased rate reported literature. Purpose: To determine if individuals evidence-based reduce would both physical and cognitive performance. Methods: In nonexperimental, pretest, posttest design study, 76 adults (65-93 years) participated scripted 12-week, 24 session program. Each 60 minute class incorporated balance, strength, endurance, flexibility exercises. Participants completed baseline assessments performance measures 1 week prior following intervention. Results: Fifty-two participants measures. There were 3 (chair rise time, 360° turn, 4 square step test). was similar Symbol Digit Modality Test, measure processing speed mental flexibility. When dichotomized into 2 groups based achieving/not achieving, walking at least 1.0 meters/second, secondary analysis revealed greater Trails B tests by faster walkers compared slower walkers. Conclusions: Participation programs can have positive impact cognition outcomes. provide insight about how influences risk. Therapists utilize information clinically educating patients potential exercises