Balance, physical conditioning, and health perception in elderly women submitted to a 32-week physical exercise program

Study aim: To assess the effects of a long-term physical exercise program on balance, physical conditioning, and health perception in elderly women.

Material and methods: The sample, 143 elderly women, were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG; n = 71; age: 71.62 ± 4.96 years) and control group (CG; n = 72; age: 72.89 ± 5.40 years). The EG was submitted to a 32-week physical exercise program (3×/week, 60 min/session). Balance and physical conditioning were assessed through the 10-step in a straight-line test, the unipedal balance test (UBT), the timed up and go (TUG) test, and the 30-second chair stand test (30s CST). Health perception was evaluated by a questionnaire.

Results: Repeated measures ANOVA (2×3) revealed significant improvements (p < 0.05) in TUG and 30s CST in the EG from the pre- to the post-test and when compared to the CG in the post-test. There were significant increases (p < 0.05) in health perception, 10-step test, and UBT in the EG, and significant improvements (p < 0.05) in these EG variables when compared to the CG in the post-test.

Conclusions: Participating in the exercise program resulted in improvements in balance, muscle strength, agility, and health perception in the elderly of the present study.