EFFECT OF SQUAT TRAINING TO IMPROVE STATIC STANDING BALANCE IN ELDERLY

Abstract

Abstract

Introduction: Aging population with musculoskeletal impairments who are having balance-related difficulties leading to a decrease in their confidence and social withdrawal due to fear of falls. Squatting contains elements of everyday functional movements. This study will help us to know whether squat training improves balance and reduces the fear of falls.

Aim: To find out the effect of squat training to improve static standing balance in the elderly.

Materials and Methods: The experimental study was conducted at Dr. D.Y. Patil College of Physiotherapy, Pune, Maharashtra, India between August 2022 to January 2023, which included 30 healthy elderly participants of age ranging between 65 to 79 years. Subjects were trained for two weeks (five days per week) with wall   squats in the first week and BOSU ball squats in the second week. Pre and post-Fall Efficacy Scale (FES)scores and weight-bearing squat test values on NeuroCom Balance master were assessed.

Results: Mean age of the study was 69.10. The weight-bearing squat value of the left side (0.011) showed significant improvement at 60⁰ with the p-value <0.05. The FES scores showed significance with a p-valueof 0.0001 which is <0.05.

Conclusion: Squat training which included wall squats and BOSU ball squats showed improvement in static balance and reduced fear of falls. Hence this training can be used for elderly populations with proper precautions.