ORIGINAL ARTICLE   

Gazzetta Medica Italiana Archivio per le Scienze Mediche 2017 December;176(12):655-8

DOI: 10.23736/S0393-3660.17.03455-6

Copyright © 2017 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

lingua: Inglese

The effects of endurance and weight-bearing exercises on reaction time and postural balance, in postmenopausal women

Morteza TAHERI ✉, Khadijeh IRANDOUST

Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of endurance and strength training on reaction time and postural balance in elderly females.
METHODS: Forty-three elderly women with the mean age of 60-74 years old were recruited and randomly allocated to three groups: aerobic training (3 d/wk for 12 wk), Strength training (3 d/wk for 2 months) or a control group. Postural balance of all subjects was measured by timed up and go test (TUG) and Berg balance scale (BBS). Body Mass Index (BMI), percentage of body fat (PBF), and lower extremities and trunk muscle mass were measured before and after training. Reaction time was measured with the reaction time measuring device.
RESULTS: The results suggested that choice reaction time and postural balance were significantly improved in both experimental groups with greater improvement in the weight-bearing group.
CONCLUSIONS: The endurance and weight-bearing exercises improved reaction time and postural balance in elderly females.

KEY WORDS: Physical endurance - Resistance training - Weight-bearing - Reaction time - Postural balance