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The effect of flexibility and resistance exercise on selected balance tasks and gait transfer in elderly subjects

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

This investigation evaluated the effects of exercise on balance and ability to transfer in an elderly population.Eighteen elderly subjects (aged 65-96) were volunteers in this study. Nine of the elderly subjects participated in a six week exercise program, while the other nine were placed into a control group. It was hypothesized that the exercise group would improve balance and gait transfer. The variables of interest were: timed one-leg stance, spontaneous sway, transfer from bed to a chair, and an ABC (Activities-specific Balance Confidence) Scale. The variable of timed one-leg stance (sec), with both eyes open and closed, increased significantly (P(0.05) with the exercise training. The pre and post testing measures for the timed one leg stance found that the X increased from 2.56 to 4.64, the SO was 6.06 and the SE was 1.43. However, the pre and post testing measures for the variables of spontaneous sway (sec), transfer (high, med, low) and the ABC scale showed little or no change This investigation evaluated the effects of exercise on balance and ability to transfer in an elderly population. Eighteen elderly subjects (aged 65-96) were volunteers in this study. Nine of the elderly subjects participated in a six week exercise program, while the other nine were placed into a control group. It was hypothesized that the exercise group would improve balance and gait transfer. The variables of interest were: timed one-leg stance, spontaneous sway, transfer from bed to a chair, and an ABC (Activities-specific Balance Confidence) Scale. The variable of timed one-leg stance (sec), with both eyes open and closed, increased significantly (P(0.05) with the exercise training. The pre and post testing measures for the timed one leg stance found that the X increased from 2.56 to 4.64, the SO was 6.06 and the SE was 1.43. However, the pre and post testing measures for the variables of spontaneous sway (sec), transfer (high, med, low) and the ABC scale showed little or no change This investigation evaluated the effects of exercise on balance and ability to transfer in an elderly population. Eighteen elderly subjects (aged 65-96) were volunteers in this study. Nine of the elderly subjects participated in a six week exercise program, while the other nine were placed into a control group. It was hypothesized that the exercise group would improve balance and gait transfer. The variables of interest were: timed one-leg stance, spontaneous sway, transfer from bed to a chair, and an ABC (Activities-specific Balance Confidence) Scale. The variable of timed one-leg stance (sec), with both eyes open and closed, increased significantly (P(0.05) with the exercise training. The pre and post testing measures for the timed one leg stance found that the X increased from 2.56 to 4.64, the SO was 6.06 and the SE was 1.43. However, the pre and post testing measures for the variables of spontaneous sway (sec), transfer (high, med, low) and the ABC scale showed little or no change (P>0.05) for both the control and exercise groups.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Education
Department dc:contributor.department
Education
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
1997

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Bowers, DeJuana Sue
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Davis, Shala E.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Sebolt, Don R.
  • Schlenker, Eleanor D.

Subjects

dc:subject × 1

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-08222008-063017
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/44318

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Bowers, DeJuana Sue. The effect of flexibility and resistance exercise on selected balance tasks and gait transfer in elderly subjects. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/44318