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Exercise for improving balance in older people.
Tracey E Howe1, Lynn Rochester, Fiona Neil
1School of Health & Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK. tracey.howe@gcu.ac.uk.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|November 11, 2011
Summary
Exercise interventions show moderate effectiveness in improving balance in older adults, enhancing physical functioning and reducing fall risk. These programs, typically run three times weekly, are generally safe and beneficial for seniors.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Exercise Science
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Diminished balance in older adults is linked to reduced physical function and increased fall risk.
- This review is an update of a previous Cochrane review first published in 2007.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of exercise interventions on balance in individuals aged 60 and over.
- The study included community-dwelling and institutionalized older adults.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- Searched multiple databases including Cochrane, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE up to February 2011.
- Included 94 studies with 9,917 participants, focusing on clinical measures of balance.
Main Results:
- Gait, balance, co-ordination, functional tasks, strengthening exercises, 3D exercises (e.g., Tai Chi, yoga), and multiple exercise types demonstrated statistically significant improvements in balance outcomes.
- Specific improvements noted in Timed Up & Go test, walking speed, and Berg Balance Scale.
- Most effective programs involved dynamic standing exercises, three times per week for three months.
Conclusions:
- Certain exercise interventions show moderate effectiveness in improving clinical balance outcomes in older adults immediately post-intervention.
- These exercise programs are considered probably safe, with few adverse events reported.
- Further high-quality research is needed for interventions like walking, cycling, computerized balance training, and vibration plates.
