M E. Rogers

Effects of Seated vs. Standing Exercises on Strength and Balance in Community-Dwelling Older Women

Aim. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a combined resistance and balance exercise (CRBE) program performed in both seated and standing positions with that of a program consisting only of resistance exercise (RE) performed in the seated position in older women. Methods. Fifty-two community-dwelling volunteers (CRBE: n = 27, RE: n = 25, mean ± SD age, height, and weight: = 68.3 ± 6.5 years, 67.6 ± 7.4 years, 149.8 ± 7.3 cm, 149.8 ± 5.5 cm, 54.7 ± 10.0 kg, and 51.7 ± 8.6 kg, respectively) participated in 12 weeks of either CRBE or RE. Strength (arm curl and chair stand), static balance (sway velocity [SV]) and dynamic balance (limits of stability [LOS]) were evaluated before and after intervention. Results. After training, both groups showed significant improvements in muscle strength. The improvement in SV was clinically significant in CRBE (13%) only and no improvement was observed in either group for LOS. Conclusion. These results suggest that a resistance exercise program utilizing elastic resistance, whether alone or in combination with balance exercise, will improve strength in relatively similar amounts over 12 weeks. With the addition of balance exercise, improvements in static balance are gained, which may have a positive effect on fall risk for older adults.