Efficacy of Elastic Resistance Training Program for the Institutionalized Elderly

This study aimed to assess the effi cacy of a
progressive resistance training program on dynamic balance
and functional mobility among the institutionalized elderly.
Methods: A total of 45 institutionalized elderly from a senior
welfare home participated in this quasi-experimental study.
The exercise group (n = 21) attended a group-based
program for 12 weeks, meeting twice a week. A 2-factor
repeated-measures analysis of variance and independent
and paired t tests were used to analyze the data.
Results: The results showed a signifi cant improvement for
the exercise group in the Reach Test for the forward (% Δ =
18.51%), right (% Δ = 20.0%), and left (% Δ = 17.7%)
directions and in the 6-Minute Walk Test (% Δ = 12.09%, all
P s < .001) after the intervention.
Conclusion: The elastic band training provides a simple and
inexpensive exercise program that improves the balance
control and consequently functional mobility effectively