In 1996, Lord, et. al., randomized controlled trial, conducted as part of the Randwick Falls and Fractures Study in Sydney, Australia, aimed to investigate the impact of a 12-month regular exercise program on dynamic postural stability in older women. The study included 112 community-dwelling women aged 60 to 85 years, with a mean age of 71.2 years.

The participants were randomly assigned to either an exercise group or a control group. The primary outcome measures for dynamic postural stability included maximal balance range and coordinated stability. Quantitative assessments were conducted before, midway through, and at the end of the 12-month trial. The stability measures demonstrated good test-retest reliability and were correlated with various factors such as lower limb muscle strength, reaction time, neuromuscular control, and body sway.

At the initial testing phase, there were no significant differences in the performance of the exercise and control groups in terms of maximal balance range and coordinated stability. However, participants in the exercise group attended an average of 58.4 classes (range 26-77) over the 12-month period. At the trial’s conclusion, the exercise group exhibited significant improvements in both maximal balance range and coordinated stability, while no such improvements were observed in the control group.

Moreover, improvements in coordinated stability were found to be associated with corresponding enhancements in ankle dorsiflexion, hip extension, and hip flexion strength. These results suggest that regular exercise can effectively enhance dynamic postural stability in older individuals, shedding light on potential mechanisms underlying these improvements.

In summary, the findings from this randomized controlled trial provide compelling evidence that a 12-month program of regular exercise can lead to significant enhancements in dynamic postural stability among older women. The observed improvements in coordinated stability were linked to specific improvements in lower limb strength. This research contributes valuable insights into the mechanisms through which exercise positively influences dynamic postural stability in the elderly. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating targeted exercise interventions to promote better balance and stability in aging populations.

Reference: Lord, S. R., Ward, J. A., & Williams, P. (1996). Exercise effect on dynamic stability in older women: a randomized controlled trial. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 77(3), 232-236.