BENEFITS OF BALANCE TRAINING TO MAINTAIN EQUILIBRIUM AMONG OLD AGE PEOPLE

Introduction: Balance is an integral component of daily (functional) activities. It is very sensitive, complex and multifactorial. It is the ability to maintain the projection of the body’s centre of mass within manageable limits of the base of support, as in the standing or sitting or in transit to a new base of support, as in walking pattern (1). In old age ability to maintain balance is low and fall is frequent. Objectives: To determine the efficacy of balance training over old age individuals. Inclusion Criteria: Age > 65 years, no gender difference, independent ambulation and activity of daily living. Exclusion Criteria: Chest pain, cancer, amputation, cognitive impairments, neurological condition, fractures. Methods and Procedure: This study was conducted among 50 elderly people. It is randomized control trial, allocated into 2 groups as follow; experimental group and control group. Intervention was given to the subjects 3 times per weeks in 8 weeks. Subjects were assessed before and after. Control group activity included either usual activities or recreational activities. All participants underwent a screening process carried out by a physical therapist. They were given oral and written information about the study. Results: Based on independent “t” test there is significant differences between post-test between control and experimental group with p value of 0.00 (p<0.05). Conclusion: There was significant difference in the effectiveness of the balance training in improving the balance between control and experimental group.