Effect of balance trainning on the fall risk index in elederly: Comparison of two different device

Abstract

Aging causes physiological and functional changes and declines, which can compromise autonomy and mobility, increasing the risk of falls. Functional balance tests, such as the Berg Balance Scale, Time Up and Go, as well as other dynamic balance and agility tests, are used to estimate the risk of falls. However, other parameters obtained in the force platform (PF) may reveal biomechanical and neuromuscular variables to maintain posture. Most of the tests have been chosen for ease and low cost, but little is known how they correlate with each other and how they correlate with objective measures determined by posturography tests by force platform (PF). Postural stability can be analyzed on a static or unstable surface, the latter moving freely in the anteroposterior and medial-lateral axes at the same time as the Biodex Balance System (BBS), which evaluates the balance by means of 12 different levels of stability , programmed according to the degree of difficulty one wants to cause, and the FP that is static. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to verify the validity of the Fall Risk Test (BBS) protocol in relation to the balance evaluated in the force platform in elderly, non-caulkers; to analyze the effects on the postural balance of the elderly after the specific training in Biodex Balance. The sample will be composed of volunteers classified into two groups: elderly caidores (GC) and non-caidores (CNG). Initially, for the determination of the sample size, 20 elderly individuals will be BBS and PF and then submitted to balance training for 12 weeks, and at the end the groups will perform the tests again. The evaluation and reassessment protocol consists of the tests of Dynamic Postural Stability and Unipodal and Bipodal Balance. The Fall Risk Test allows to obtain the risk index performed with the standard software configuration: three tests of 20 seconds each, starting from level 12 to 8, rest of 10 seconds between the tests of stability of the platform. Volunteers will be placed on the BBS in bipodal, open-eyed and free-arm support, keeping the viewpoint as close as possible to the center of a circle divided into zones A, B, C, and D moving the body itself. The second one will be collected by means of kinetic data of the pressure center on the PF with the feet separated at a distance equal to that between the two hips respecting their physical characteristics, with the head aligned horizontally with the eyes focusing a fixed point in front of it, two feet away and the arms along the body. Six conditions of balance will be analyzed, being: condition: separated feet and open eyes; separate feet with closed eyes; feet together and eyes open; feet together and eyes closed; unipodal support dominant member and after the non-dominant member. Each condition will have a duration of 20 "for two attempts and will have a one-minute interval between each condition, which will be tested in random order. The Equilibrium Training will involve heating (walking at a moderate speed, joint mobility exercises for the arms, hips and legs); and weight-bearing exercises. There will be 2 'rest between exercises, platform stability will be progressively changed (from static to dynamic) by reducing the platform level by an increment every two weeks (four sessions). The variables will be as follows: dynamic postural stability in the BBS: based on the degree of oscillation of the platform during the evaluations. Through the indexes: general stability, anteroposterior stability and index of medium-lateral stability. In the Force Platform the following will be obtained: a Center of displacement of the center of pressure and the average speed of displacement of the center of pressure. (AU)