A STUDY TO COMPARE THE EFFECTIVENESS BETWEEN OTAGO EXERCISE AND MODIFIED OTAGO EXERCISE ON DYNAMIC BALANCE AMONG BHARATANATYAM DANCERS

Background of the study: Bharatanatyam is an Indian Classical Dance which involves rhythmic dance movements. There are various postures in the dance form in which dancers need optimum muscle strength and adequate range of motion at required joints. Dancers need good body balance to maintain the postures. The main purpose of the study is to compare the effectiveness between Otago exercise and Modified Otago exercise on dynamic balance among Bharatanatyam Dancers. Methodology: This is an experimental study of Pre and Post comparative type. 20 Female Bharatanatyam Dancers were randomly selected for the study. The study setting was in Nritham; the School of Dance. Study duration is about 6 sessions in a week for 8 weeks. The inclusion criteria include only Female Bharatanatyam Dancers within the age group of 18–25 years. The recruited subjects were allocated into two groups, Group A received Otago exercise program and Group B received Modified Otago exercise program. The exercise program was given for 30 minutes per day for 8 weeks, before and at the end of the treatment session Star Excursion Balance test was assessed as outcome measure. Result: On comparing the mean values of Group A & Group B on Star Excursion Balance Test score for dynamic balance, it shows a significant increase in the post test mean values in both groups in all directions, but Group B was more effective than Group A at P ≤ 0.001. Conclusion: On comparing the effects between the groups showed Modified Otago Exercise Group B is more effective than Group A Otago Exercise.