Does a Recumbent Lateral Stability Trainer Improve Balance Scores Among Older Adults Within 4 Weeks?

Past literature has shown that balance and strength are important in preventing falls, but few studies have focused on developing strength and power in a lateral plane. The purpose of this study was to determine if a lateral pedal recumbent training device can improve balance scores among older adults in 4 weeks.

A 2-group experimental-control multivariate design (43 women, 13 men; age, 77.4 ± 3 years; weight, 78.91 ± 0.2 kg; height, 167.13 ± 0.8 cm; body mass index, 28.7 ± 0.5 kg/m) was selected for the study. Participants (n = 56) were divided into 2 groups and were pretested and posttested on a computerized posturography plate to determine center of pressure scores with eyes opened with stable surface (EOSS), with eyes closed with stable surface (ECSS), with eyes open with perturbed surface (EOPS), and with eyes closed with perturbed surface (ECPS). The experimental group used the lateral trainer for 15 minutes, 3 times per week, for 4 consecutive weeks; the control group maintained a sedentary lifestyle. A mixed-effects repeated measures multiple analysis of variance was used to determine significance.

There were statistically significant differences over time for EOPS (p = 0.047) and ECPS (p = 0.047). Likewise, there were statistically significant differences for each univariate outcome with EOSS (p = 0.045), ECSS (p = 0.033), EOPS (p = 0.010), and ECPS (p = 0.026).

A recumbent lateral stability device can improve balance scores among older adults within 4 weeks of training.