The impact of a submaximal level of exercise on balance performance in older persons.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a submaximal level of exercise on balance performance under a variety of conditions.


METHODS
Thirteen community-dwelling older persons with intact foot sensation (age = 66.69 ± 8.17 years, BMI = 24.65 ± 4.08 kg/m(2), female, n = 6) volunteered to participate. Subjects' balance performances were measured using the Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Integration of Balance (mCTSIB) at baseline and after test, under four conditions of stance: (1) eyes-opened firm-surface (EOF), (2) eyes-closed firm-surface (ECF), (3) eyes-opened soft-surface (EOS), and (4) eyes-closed soft-surface (ECS). The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) protocol was used to induce the submaximal level of exercise. Data was analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test.


RESULTS
Balance changes during EOF (z = 0.00, P = 1.00) and ECF (z = -1.342, P = 0.180) were not significant. However, balance changes during EOS (z = -2.314, P = 0.021) and ECS (z = -3.089, P = 0.02) were significantly dropped after the 6MWT.


CONCLUSIONS
A submaximal level of exercise may influence sensory integration that in turn affects balance performance, particularly on an unstable surface. Rehabilitation should focus on designing intervention that may improve sensory integration among older individuals with balance deterioration in order to encourage functional activities.
Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
Hani Asilah
0000-0002-8635-2618
HA
Alias
Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia ; Community of Research (CoRe) of Humanities and Quality of Life, UiTM, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
Maria
0000-0002-2412-8653
M
Justine
D000368:Aged; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*