The Comparisons of Thai-Chi and Ascetic Exercise on the Balance in the Elderly

Abstract

          Exercise in the elderly play an important role on the body balancing. Exercise is able to increase balance, promotes and prevents falling down in the elderly. Many studies suggested that Thai-Chi exercise is able to prevent imbalance and improve  walking in elderly. In the other studies showed that Ascetic exercise is able to increase flexibility of back and leg muscles. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of exercise between Thai-Chi and Ascetic exercise on balance in elderly 60-75 years old at Sacaerai Nakhonpathom province.

          The subject was divided into 2 groups by randomize sampling method; 10 participants of Thai-Chi and 10 participants of Ascetic exercise. Thus, both groups did their exercise 20 mins per day three days a week for 6 weeks. The balance was measured by using Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and  data analysis detected by computerized program showed that  there was a significant increase (P < 0.05) when compared between pre and post exercise of both groups. The data showed non significant (P > 0.05) in balance between groups.

          This result indicated that Thai-Chi and Ascetic exercises could  improve the ability to balance in the elderly which was in  agreement with previous studies.