EFFECTIVENESS OF 4-WEEKS EXERCISE PROGRAM USING ELASTIC TUBING AS PERTURBATION FORCE ON BALANCE IN ELDERLY SUBJECTS

Background:Ageing commonly disrupts the balance control and compensatory postural responses that con-tribute to maintaining balance and preventing falls during perturbation of posture due to the weakness ofankle Dorsiflexors and plantar flexor. This can lead to increase of falling in older adults over theage of 65.Materials and Methods:Study Design: Pre – Post-test Experimental Design,40 elderly subjects both male andfemale in the age group of 60-70 years were randomised in to two groups : Subjects in Experimental (n=20)were treated with 4-week exercise programme using elastic tubing with conventional Physiotherapy andControl(n=20) were treated with conventional Physiotherapy for 4 weeks. The duration of treatment was 4weeks in both groups. Outcome measures included were Berg Balance Scale and Manual Muscle Testing.Results:In Experimental group Berg Balance score was found to be significant (EXP-45.00±2.4P<0.001). ManualMuscle Testing score for post intervention for Right and Left ankle Dorsiflexors and Plantar Flexorsin experi-mental group was not found to be significant.(EXP- Right ankle DF-3.40±0.50,P >0.108, Right ankle PF- 3.45±0.51,P > 0.059, Lt DF-3.45±0.51, P > 0.3.17, Left anklePF 3.40±0.50, P >0.157).In control group post interventionBerg Balance and Manual Muscle Testing score was not found to be significant.Conclusion:The4-week exer-cise programme using elastic tubing is effective on balance in elderly subjects.