The Effects of a Sensorimotor Training on Balance Control in the Elderly

• Main Authors: Meng-Tien Wu, 吳孟恬
• Other Authors: Yuan-Shuo Chan
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2009
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/31598743408432080934

碩士 === 國立體育大學 === 適應體育學系碩士班 === 97 === Age-related changes in neuromuscular control contribute to impairments in balance control and increase fall risks in older adults. Maintaining balance is based on the sensor, motor and cognitive system. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the effects of a sensorimotor training on balance control by increasing the postural regulation of elderly. Purpose:(a) to research different balance control abilities in elderly by using different stand postures; (b) to research the effects of the sensorimotor training on balance control in elderly; and (c) to compare the effects of a long and short training period (six and twelve weeks) on balance control in elderly. Methods: Forty-three healthy older adults who have no balance related diseases and cognitive diseases were willing to participate in this research. The subjects were divided into a control group and a training group, mean age was 70.4±5.4 years. The training group performed 30 minutes sensorimotor training three times per week for 12 weeks. Three parameters about balance were observed including transversal X, sagittal Y and total body sway distance. The postural assessment system (POSTUROMED®) with 250 Hz was used to measure 20 seconds of body sways before and after training. Various Postures were measured including standing naturally with eyes open and closed, standing with feet together as well as standing in a semi-tandem and a tandem stand. For the analysis the SPSS 12.0 statistical software was used; descriptive statistics, independent- t test, pair- t test, one way ANOVA and repeated measure ANOVA were conducted. Results: The body sway distance in the tandem stand was significantly greater than in the other standing postures (p<.001). Results revealed that the sensorimotor training group significantly decreased the sagittal Y and total body sway distance while standing naturally with eyes closed (p<.05), the transversal X, sagittal Y and total body sway distance in feet together standing position (p<.05) and the sagittal Y body sway in the semi-tandem and tandem stand (p<.05) after six weeks of sensorimotor training. The control group indicated a body sway increase in the feet together stand (p<.05). The 12-week long training period affected the outcome even more significantly than the 6-week short training period. In comparison with the 6-week training period, subjects decreased their transversal X, sagittal Y and total body sway distance in the natural standing position with eyes open and closed and feet together stand (p<.05). Subjects also decreased their sagittal Y and total body sway distance in the semi-tandem stand (p<.05). The tandem stand, however, only revealed significant difference on the sagittal Y body sway (p<.05). Conclusion: (a) The tandem stance is the most difficult stance of the four; (b) the 6-week sensorimotor training protocol significantly contributed to an increase of balance control; (c) balance control of older adults without a training degenerated in the feet together stance; (d) the long period training in elderly has better effects on balance control than the short period training program.