Effectiveness of an exercise program on postural control in frail older adults

Figures & data

Table 1 General characteristics of group

	Group Number/%
N	26
F/M	25/1
Age (years)	76.7 ± 4.9
BMI (Kg/cm^2)	29.5 ± 2.8
Level of physical activity
Low	11/42.3%
Moderate	11/2.3%
High	4/15.3%
Diseases/clinical conditions
Instability	14/53.8%
Urinary incontinence	13/50%
Sensory deficit	14/53.8%
Polypharmacy	14/53.8%
Depression	11/42.3%
Fear of falling	10/38.4%
Hypertension	13/50%
Arthropathy	9/34.6%
Osteoporosis	11/42.3%
Falls within the last year	24/92.3%
Fractures related to falls	7/26.9%

Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index; F, female; M, male; N, number of subjects.

Table 2 Results of clinical evaluations on postural control before and after intervention program (mean and standard deviation)

	Before	After	P-value
TUG (s)	17.92 ± 9.42	16.35 ± 7.55	0.19*
Guralnik	6.76 ± 2.10	7.22 ± 2.34	0.21*

Note:

* Paired t-test.

Abbreviations: TUG, timed up and go test; s, seconds; Guralnik, Guralnik test battery.

Table 3 Characteristics related to static and dynamic posturography (mean and standard deviation)

	Before	After	P-value
Base sust EO (mm^2)	9115.36 ± 4143	11511.81 ± 5849.5	0.006*
Mean x-axis EO (mm)	2.60 ± 6.72	4.55 ± 7.46	0.33*
Mean y-axis EO (mm)	−35.12 ± 15.12	−30.08 ± 12.45	0.02*
SKG (super) EO (mm)	384.72 ± 253.04	368.09 ± 197.07	0.78*
Long SKG EO (mm)	453.29 ± 152.38	524.84 ± 217.80	0.06*
Mean x-axis EC (mm)	2.99 ± 6.46	5.42 ± 7.39	0.11*
Mean y-axis EC (mm)	−32.11 ± 14.64	−28.03 ± 10.48	0.03*
SKG (super) EC (mm)	742.27 ± 572.84	520.31 ± 351.79	0.02*
Long SKG EC (mm)	828.90 ± 437.86	801.75 ± 410.11	0.62*

Note:

* Paired t-test.

Abbreviations: EO, eyes open; EC, eyes closed; mean x-axis, mediolateral movement; mean y-axis, anteroposterior movement; Sust, sustention; SKG, statokinesigram (graph of successive positions of center of pressure); long, LSKG-longitudinal displacement of center of pressure.

Table 4 Characteristics related to dynamic posturography (mean and standard deviation)

	Before	After	P-value
VplatAPEO (°/s)	2.5 ± 0.7	2.1 ± 0.6	0.01*
VplatAPEC (°/s)	4.6 ± 1.1	4.8 ± 1.5	0.37*
VplatLMEO (°/s)	2.4 ± 0.7	2.3 ± 1.0	0.75*
VplatLMEC (°/s)	3.7 ± 0.8	3.8 ± 1.1	0.52*
InclMeanPlatAPEO (°)	1.4 ± 0.8	1.2 ± 0.8	0.60*
InclMeanPlatAPEC (°)	2.9 ± 1.0	3.4 ± 2.9	0.53**
InclMeanPlatLMEO (°)	1.6 ± 0.8	1.4 ± 0.8	0.38*
InclMeanPlatLMEC (°)	2.7 ± 0.9	2.3 ± 0.7	0.07*

Notes:

* Paired t-test;

** Wilcoxon, º/s -degree for seconds, º -degree.

Abbreviations: EO, eyes open; EC, eyes closed; V, speed; incl, inclination; LM, mediolateral mean; AP, anteroposterior mean; V, velocity; plat, platform.