The effect of 6- week training with ground balance ladder on postural control and risk of falls in Elderly

Introduction: One of the consequences of aging is disturbance in maintaining balance that cause impairment and disability in elderyʼs functional activities and falls. All these cases increases the importance of preventing falls in the elderly. Method: This study is a semi experimental research with pretest-posttest plan, in which 30 male and female elderly between 70 and 79 years were randomly divided into two experimental and control groups. The experimental group did balance training with ground ladders balance (6 weeks, 3 sessions per week, each session 45 minutes). The control group also began to practice the only way to go. The control group only did walking exercise. Before and after 6 weeks of training, balance wae assessed with Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I) tests and Assessment of postural sway. Paired t-tests and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to analyze the data, SPSS statistical package was used for all analyzes. In this study, significance level equal was considered to 95% and level of alpha was considered less than or equal to 0/05. Results: The results showed significant difference in obtained scores in the, Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I) and the size and distance of the center of pressure area range with open and closed eyes between pretest and posttest in the experimental group, (0/05≥ p).But results showed no significant for both variables in the control group (p>0/05). Conclusion: This study showed that exercise with ground ladders reduce can improve postural control and decrease the risk of falls in the elderly. Therefore it can be used to reduce risk of falls.