The decline in lower-extremity strength poses a significant risk of falls in the elderly population. In 1993, Judge, et. al., study aimed to investigate the impact of a robust lower-extremity strengthening, walking, and postural control exercise program on single-stance balance in healthy older women, with the overarching goal of reducing the risk of falls and fall-related injuries.

Among the 38 respondents, 21 women (aged 62 to 75 years, mean = 68, SD = 3.5) were randomly assigned to either a treatment group (combined training, n = 12) or a control group (flexibility training, n = 9).

Conducted as a randomized control trial, the study compared the effects of two distinct exercise programs on static balance. The combined training group engaged in three weekly sessions comprising knee extension and sitting leg press exercises, brisk walking for 20 minutes, and postural control exercises, including simplified tai chi movements. The flexibility training group focused on weekly postural control exercises. Balance measurements were collected on a force platform during double and single stances at baseline and following 6 months of exercise training.

Double-stance measurements remained unchanged after the training period. However, the mean displacement of the center of pressure in single stance exhibited a notable 17% improvement in the combined training group, while no significant change was observed in the flexibility training group. A repeated-measures analysis of variance indicated that the disparity in improvement between the two groups was not statistically significant.

This intervention trial marks a groundbreaking achievement, demonstrating tangible enhancements in single-stance postural sway in older women through exercise training. While the combined training program showed promising results, further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to ascertain whether a comprehensive regimen of resistance training, walking, and postural exercises outperforms a program focusing solely on postural control exercises. These findings underscore the potential for targeted exercise interventions to mitigate balance-related risks in aging populations, emphasizing the need for continued research in this critical area.

Reference: Judge, J. O., Lindsey, C., Underwood, M., & Winsemius, D. (1993). Balance improvements in older women: effects of exercise training. Physical therapy, 73(4), 254-262.