Influence of Common Exercise Methods on Static Balance Ability in Elderly Women / 医用生物力学

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the differences in the static balance ability of elderly women performing Tai Chi, square dance, and fitness walking as long-term exercises. Methods A total of 128 healthy elderly women were selected as the subjects. The subjects were classified into the Tai Chi, square dance, fitness walking, and control groups based on their daily main fitness items. The average swing speed (avg.v) of the subjects, swing angle, outer area (area), and total length of the swing (TL) were measured by a balance tester during double-feet standing with eyes closed and right-foot standing with eyes opened, and the test time was 10 s. Results There were significant differences in the values of each balance index of the Tai Chi, square dance, fitness walking, and control groups during double-feet standing with eyes closed and right-foot standing with eyes opened(P<0.05). There were significant differences in the avg.v, TL, and area index values of the Tai Chi and square dance groups (P<0.05) in case of right-foot standing with eyes opened. In both the states,the four balance indices of the Tai Chi group were significantly smaller than those of the fitness walking group (P<0.05).There were significant differences in the area, TL, and avg.v index values of the square dance and fitness walking groups (P<0.05) for the right-foot standing with eyes opened. Conclusions The static balance abilities of elderly women performing Tai Chi, square dance, and fitness walking over a long term were better than those in the absence of regular exercises. The elderly women associated with long-term Tai Chi exercises exhibited a better static balance ability than those performing square dance and fitness walking exercises, and elderly women associated with long-term square dance exercises showed a better static balance ability than those with fitness walking exercises.