Effect of Multicomponent Exercise Program on Selected Gait and Balance Parameters in Young Obese Females.

ABSTRACT

Obesity is a major global health problem. It is now commonly seen in young population due to their lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits. Obesity is now more common in younger females. Due to hormonal changes, body may not adapt, which may lead to life threatening and irreversible conditions. Obesity affects many physical factors including gait and balance. We wanted to study the correlation between obesity and gait-balance parameters, the effect of multi component exercise program on selected gait and balance parameters in young obese females. We also wanted to study its effect on dynamic balance, and compare it with conventional exercise program.METHODSIn this comparative study two groups were created with 20 participants with obesity grade 1 BMI in each. Group 2 underwent 26 weeks of multi component exercise. Group 1 underwent conventional exercises. Data was assessed and analysed. Outcome measures were body mass index, base of support, stride length, step length, cadence, and functional reach test.RESULTSBody mass index for group 1 after their conventional exercise decreased in 47% while in group 2 with multi component exercise protocol BMI reduced in 53% population. Similarly base of support for group 1 was 42% and group 2 was 58%; stride length in group 1 was 42% and group 2 was 58%; step length for group 1 was 42% and group 2 was 58%; cadence for group 1 was 42% and group 2 was 58%; functional reach test was 42% and 58% for group 1 and group 2 respectively.CONCLUSIONSA significant improvement was found in selected gait and balance parameters in young obese women with the help of multi component exercise program.