Effect of 6 weeks otago exercise program on balance in older adults

Background: Ageing is a progressive physiological process that is characterized by degeneration of organ systems and tissues with consequent loss of functional reserve of these systems. As a person ages, their anatomy and physiology undergo many changes that become more apparent with increasing chronological age. Otago exercise program helps to improve balance in older adults. Assessing their functional balance using assessment tools like timed up and go (TUG), four stage balance test (FSBT), 30 sec chair stand test (30SCST). The main aim of our study was to assess the effect of 6 weeks of otago exercise program on balance in older adults. These test analyses strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. These components are periodically used in one's daily occupation and thus helpful to estimate static and dynamic balance. It is necessary to understand if there is an effect of otago exercise program on balance in older adults hence this study was undertaken.
Materials and method: This interventional study was conducted in older adults and the data was collected from Dwarkamai old age home at shirdi Tal. Rahata dist. Ahmednagar district. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of 6 weeks of otago exercise program and conventional exercise to improve balance in older adults by using 30 second chair stand test, four stage balance test, timed up and go test.
Result: Comparison of mean and standard deviation values of timed up and go, 30 sec chair stand test four stage balance test among men and women were calculated. The mean baseline value was evaluated for all test. All test shows the significant improvement after intervention of otago exercise group as compare to conventional exercise group. Otago exercise is more effective than conventional exercise to improve balance in older adults.
Conclusion: The study concludes that Otago Exercise Program was found to be effective more than conventional exercises in improving balance in older adults, thus reducing the risk of falls in older adults. It also concluded that the adherence of the Otago exercise program was very good in the older adults.