Effects of Physical Exercise on Lower Body Strength, Balance and Reducing Risk of Falls of Older People

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to investigate the effects of physical exercises on lower body strength, balance and reducing risk of falls of community-dwelling older people in order to suggest an effective intervention for fall prevention for this population. Participants were divided into intervention and control groups. Intervention group followed exercise program in twelve weeks whereas control group still remain daily activities and did not participate in any new exercice program. The lower body strength and balance of research groups were evaluated by Chair stand test, 8-foot up and go test, Stand on one leg with eyes open and eyes closed tests. After twelve-week intervention, participants in intervention group obtained better results in all tests calculated by t-test (p