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A seniors exercise park program for older adults with mild balance dysfunction - a feasibility study.
Yoke Leng Ng1,2, Keith D Hill3, Pazit Levinger3,4,5
1Curtin School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
Disability and Rehabilitation
|August 29, 2022
Summary
This study found that a supervised Seniors Exercise Park program, progressing to independent practice, is safe and feasible for older adults with mild balance dysfunction. The program improved physical and mental health outcomes, though adherence to independent practice needs improvement.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Rehabilitation Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Older adults with mild balance dysfunction often face challenges in maintaining physical function and independence.
- Community-based exercise programs can offer accessible solutions for improving health outcomes in this demographic.
- Seniors Exercise Parks provide a novel setting for targeted physical activity interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility and safety of a multimodal exercise program at a Seniors Exercise Park for older adults with mild balance dysfunction.
- To evaluate the program's impact on physical performance, psychosocial health, and quality of life.
Main Methods:
- Participants (aged ≥65 years) with mild balance dysfunction engaged in an 18-week program with gradually reduced supervision, followed by 6 weeks of independent training.
- Feasibility and safety were monitored throughout the study, with assessments at baseline, 18, and 24 weeks.
- Adherence rates, adverse events, and changes in physical performance and psychosocial outcomes were recorded.
Main Results:
- Of 46 enrolled participants, 36 (78.3%) completed the 18-week intervention, and 32 (69.6%) were followed up at 24 weeks.
- High adherence (90.9%) was observed during supervised training, while adherence to independent practice was lower (26.3%).
- Significant improvements were noted in balance, lower body strength, mobility, mental wellbeing, and quality of life at both 18 and 24 weeks, with no adverse events reported.
Conclusions:
- A supervised Seniors Exercise Park program progressing to independent practice is feasible, safe, and effective for improving health outcomes in older adults with mild balance dysfunction.
- Strategies to enhance adherence to independent practice and reduce dropout rates are necessary for program optimization.
- Increased availability of Seniors Exercise Parks is recommended to promote greater community access to this beneficial exercise approach for older adults.
