Effects of 9-Square Table and Rubber Chain Elastic Exercise on Balance, Muscles Strength and Fear of Falling among the Fall-Risk Elderly

Abstract

           This Quasi-experimental study aimed to investigate the results of the nine-square table and elastic rubber chain exercise on balance, leg muscle strength, and the fear of falling in the risk-fall elderlies. Participants were 40 fall-risk elderlies, who were living in Meuang District, Sakon Nakhon province. They were divided into two groups, an experimental and a control group. An experimental group (n=20) was received the 9-square table and a rubber chain exercise program for 45 minutes per time, three days per week, for eight weeks. A control group (n=20) was treated as a standard intervention. Data were collected personal data form,  the Time Up and Go Test form, the recording form five times sit to stand test, the recording form a 2-minute step test and the questionnaire to evaluate fear of falling. The experimental instruments consisted of videotapes and handbooks regarding nine-square table and rubber chain elastic exercise. The data were analyzed using percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Repeated Measures ANOVA.

            Results from the study revealed that the experimental group reported balance performance, muscle strength, and fear of falling score at the end of intervention were significantly different than the control group (F =18.94, 31.24, 5.98; p< .025). Moreover, in the fourth and the eighth week after the program, the balance performance, muscle strength, and fear of falling scores were statistically significantly different than those before the program at the significance level of .025. These findings indicate that the nine-square table and elastic rubber chain exercise program helps increase balancing perforce and reduce the fear of falling in the elderly. Thus, the health care team can use the nine-square table and elastic rubber chain exercise to prevent falling in the elderly.