Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 29, 2026
Exergaming in Older People Living with HIV Improves Balance, Mobility and Ameliorates Some Aspects of Frailty
Published on: October 6, 2016
Comparative impacts of Tai Chi, balance training, and a specially-designed yoga program on balance in older fallers
Meng Ni1, Kiersten Mooney2, Luca Richards2
1Laboratory of Neuromuscular Research and Active Aging, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL.
Objective:
To compare the effect of a custom-designed yoga program with 2 other balance training programs.
Design:
Randomized controlled trial.
Setting:
Research laboratory.
Participants:
A group of older adults (N=39; mean age, 74.15 ± 6.99 y) with a history of falling.
Interventions:
Three different exercise interventions (Tai Chi, standard balance training, yoga) were given for 12 weeks.
Main Outcome Measures:
Balance performance was examined during pre- and posttest using field tests, including the 8-foot up-and-go test, 1-leg stance, functional reach, and usual and maximal walking speed. The static and dynamic balances were also assessed by postural sway and dynamic posturography, respectively.
Results:
Training produced significant improvements in all field tests (P<.005), but group difference and time × group interaction were not detected. For postural sway, significant decreases in the area of the center of pressure with eyes open (P=.001) and eyes closed (P=.002) were detected after training. For eyes open, maximum medial-lateral velocity significantly decreased for the sample (P=.013). For eyes closed, medial-lateral displacement decreased for Tai Chi (P<.01). For dynamic posturography, significant improvements in overall score (P=.001), time on the test (P=.006), and 2 linear measures in lateral (P=.001) and anterior-posterior (P<.001) directions were seen for the sample.
Conclusions:
Yoga was as effective as Tai Chi and standard balance training for improving postural stability and may offer an alternative to more traditional programs.
