Sensory Training Effects on Obstacle Avoidance in Healthy Older Adults

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Kathleen Williams, Professor and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a five-day balance training program on obstacle avoidance measures in a group of healthy older adults. A 2 × 3 repeated measures MANOVA revealed no significant differences between three groups of older adult participants. A follow-up paired t-test revealed a significant difference between the control group and the experimental and walking control groups for pre- and post-tests. These results suggest that a five-day program is ineffective for improving measures of toe clearance, heel clearance, horizontal shear, and gait velocity, but may be beneficial in delaying a loss in obstacle crossing speed in healthy older adults.

Additional Information

Publication
Physical & Occupational Therapy in Geriatrics, 22, 1-17.
Language: English
Date: 2004
Keywords
Balance, Exercise, Gait, Elderly, Fall prevention

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