The effects of three different exercise modalities upon balance and perception of quality of life in individuals seventy years of age and older

Scope and method of study. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of three different exercise modalities upon balance and perception of quality of life in individuals 70 years of age and older. The subjects were community-living adults (N = 55) ranging in age from 70 to 95 (mean = 79.98). The subjects were volunteers and assigned to one of four groups: one group received a 16-week strength intervention program (EG1), one group received a 16-week flexibility intervention program (EG2), one group received a 16-week strength/flexibility combination intervention program (EG3), and one group served as the control group (CG). All subjects were assessed for pre, mid, and post data using Berg Balance Test (BBT) to evaluate functional balance; Medical Outcomes Study's SF-36RTM (SF-36RTM) to test for quality of life and a second instrument of quality of life called the Life Satisfaction Index Z (LSIZ). To test the three hypotheses, 4 x 3 repeated measures ANOVA were used.; Findings and conclusions. All three measurements were significant for the main effect of time (pre, mid, and post test). Further analysis using Tukey post hoc test indicated that with the BBT there was a significant difference between pre and mid; pre and post; and mid and post testing times. The SF-36RTM revealed significant differences between the pre and post test and the mid and post testing times. The LSIZ revealed significance across the testing times and among the groups. Further post hoc analysis indicated significance within testing times of pre and post and mid and post testing times. The post hoc among the groups indicated that between EG3 and all other groups (CG, EG1, & EG2) there was a significant difference. The study results did not indicate what type of program is best for senior adults to participate in order to increase their balance and perception of quality of life but it does add support for the fact that exercise programming can perhaps alter their perception and balance over time.